Watch classic films… or something new at a pop-up cinema this summer

There’s something a bit romantic about watching a film outside. Although for most of the year it’s too darn cold, over the past few summers, open air cinemas have been steadily growing in popularity. The chance to grab your favourite cushion or deckchair, grab a bottle of wine and some plastic picnic glasses and head to a rooftop, park or other venue is a great way to spend a warm summer evening. Here’s a guide to open-air cinema venues and companies in London this summer.

• The Nomad Cinema

Travelling cinema company returns this summer with a new roll call of venues. Locations include Brompton Cemetery (!), Bushy Park, Coram Secret Garden, Ealing Summer Screenings, Fulham Palace, Homelanz Festival (10 August), Horniman Museum, Hyde Park Lido, Queen’s Park, Roundwood Park and Willesden Sports Centre. To find out about screenings, visit the Nomad Cinema website.

• The Luna Cinema

Locations include Battersea Park, Brockwell Lido, Dulwich Park, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Kew Gardens (Kew The Movies), One New Change, Opera Holland Park, Regent’s Park. For more information, visit the Luna Cinema website.

• Backyard Cinema

Locations include Beach Blanket Babylon, London Fields Brewery and Camden Market. For more information, visit the Backyard Cinema website.

Watch classic films, such as Back To The Future, which was shown by Pop Up Screen at Morden Hall Park

• Pop Up Screens

Locations include Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush, Morden, Lewisham, Hammersmith, Parson’s Green, Holborn and Greenwich. To find out about screenings, visit the Pop Up Screens website. For Metro Girl’s review of a recent Pop Up Screen screening, click here.

• Rooftop Film Club

The Rooftop Film Club is for rooftops only (obviously). Venues include the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, Bussey Building in Peckham Rye, Roof Gardens at Kensington and Netil House in London Fields. To find out more, visit the Rooftop Film Club website.

• Hot Tub Cinema

Unlike the other pop-up cinemas, this company in winter too because cinemagoers sit in hot tubs while watching the films. Also features a BBQ and licensed bar. This summer, the cinema will be on the rooftop of Rockwell House in Shoreditch. Single tickets £30 or an entire hot tub for up to six people £180. To find out more, visit the Hot Tub Cinema website.

• BP Big Screens

Not quite films, but Royal Opera House productions will be broadcast live on big screens in Trafalgar Square, Canary Wharf and Victoria Park on select dates over the summer. For more information, visit the ROH’s BP Big Screen page.

• Floating Cinema

An intimate cinema on a specially-kitted out barge, which will travel around East London over the summer. As well as screenings, will also include workshops and themed nights. For more information, visit the Floating Cinema website.

• More London Free Festival

From 11-27 September, there will be free screenings of films in The Scoop, near Potter’s Field Park. Nearest tube: London Bridge. For more information, visit the More London website.

• Trinity Summer Series Cinema

The gardens of the Trinity Hospice in Clapham will be open to the public for screenings over three nights (21-24 August) with screenings of Dirty Dancing, Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Top Gun. Tickets £15 with sales going to the Hospice. 30 Clapham Common North Side, SW4 ORN. Nearest tube: Clapham Common. For more information, visit the Trinity Hospice website.

To find out what else is on in London this summer, read Guide to what’s on in London in September 2013

or Guide to music festivals and open-air concerts in London this summer.