Spooky: The Nomad Cinema returns to Brompton Cemetery
© The Nomad Cinema

They’ve been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years and I for one, have become a big fan of the open-air cinema concept. Whether it’s a new release or an old classic, watching a film alfresco is a very different experience to your usual chain cinema outing. Many are set up against a stunning backdrop of an old building, a graveyard or a rooftop. 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. (NB: Booking in advance is strongly recommended).

• May – 30 September : Rooftop Film Club

The Rooftop Film Club is for rooftops only (obviously). Venues include the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, Roof East in Stratford, Bussey Building in Peckham Rye, Springbridge Car Park in Ealing and Kensington Roof Gardens. To find out more, visit the Rooftop Film Club website.

• 20 May, 15 July, 17 September : BP Big Screens

Not quite films, but Royal Opera House productions will be broadcast live on big screens in Trafalgar Square, Walthamstow Town Square , Woolwich’s General Gordon Square and Canary Wharf. Productions include La Traviata on 20 May, La Boheme on 15 July, Rigoletto on 17 September. Free. For more information, visit the Royal Opera House website.

• 12 June – 25 September : Floating Cinema

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

Somerset House is hosting Film4 Summer Screen

• 21 June – 27 September : The Nomad Cinema

Travelling cinema company returns this summer with a new roll call of venues. Locations include Belgrave Square, Grosvenor Square, Coram Secret Garden, Queen’s Park, Bushy Park, Fulham Palace, Brompton Cemetary and Hyde Park Lido. Films include When Harry Met Sally, Hairspray, Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction, The Matrix and Cinema Paradiso, among others. To find out about screenings, visit The Nomad website.

• 3 June – 22 July : Vauxhall Village Presents Summer Screen

Vauxhall Village host six free screenings over the summer in the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Films include Best In Show, Mean Girls, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Slumdog Millionaire, This Is Spinal Tap and The Big Lebowski. Although free, you must reserve a place. Rent a deckchair or blanket or bring your own. Popcorn, food vendors and on-site Kopparberg bar on-site. Nearest tube: Vauxhall. For more information, visit the Vauxhall Village website.

• 2 July – 28 September : The Luna Cinema

Venues including Battersea Park, Brockwell Lido, Crystal Palace Park, Dulwich Park, Hall Place at Bexley, Hampton Court Palace, Hatfield House, Kensington Palace, Kew Gardens (aka Kew The Movies), One New Change, Opera Holland Park and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. For more information and listings, visit the Luna Cinema website.

• 10 July – 31 August : The Power Of Summer

Seven weeks of pop-up events in the grounds of Battersea Power Station. Featuring Street Feast food festival, screenings of films (Pulp Fiction, Drive, Jungle Book and more) and the World Cup final. Park open from noon daily. Tickets: Free entry before 5.30pm on weekdays, general admission weekends and evenings: £5.50, screening tickets: £16.50. Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling Street, SW8 5BN. Nearest train station: Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the Everyman Cinemas website.

• 11 July – 27 September : Pop Up Screens

Locations include Morden Hall Park, Bishops Park Fulham, Mycenae House Blackheath, Ravenscourt Park Hammersmith, Manor House Gardens Lewisham, Coram’s Field Holborn and East Greenwich Pleasaunce. (Check out Metro Girl’s review of Pop Up Screens at Morden Hall Park last summer here). To find out about screenings and bookings, visit the Pop Up Screens website.

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

• 16 July – 14 September : Backyard Cinema

Watch a selection of classic or newer films on cosy beanbags or deckchairs as Backyard Cinema returns to Camden Lock Market. Including a pop-up BBQ from Honest Burgers (check out Metro Girl’s review of the original Brixton branch here) and 1950s usherettes serving you at your seats. Camden Lock Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AB. Nearest tube: Chalk Farm or Camden Town. For more information and listings, visit the Backyard Cinema website.

• 30 July – 29 August : The Regent’s Place Summer Cinema

Several film screenings every week from Wednesday to Saturday around 6.30pm. Films include Clueless, Chicken Run, Cool Runnings, Up, Top Gun, Pretty Woman and The Wedding Planner, among others. Regent’s Place, NW1 3HF. Nearest tube: Warren Street. For more information, visit the Regent’s Place website.

• 31 July – 31 August : Secret Cinema presents Back To The Future

Immersive film company Secret Cinema have recreated a life-sized version of Hill Valley from the 1985 film classic Back To The Future. In a secret East London location, film fans will have the chance to dress up and experience good ol’ 1955 America before watching the movie. Tickets £53. For Metro Girl’s review of the event, click here. For booking, visit Secret Cinema’s official website.

• 7 – 20 August : Film4 Summer Screen @ Somerset House

The courtyard of Somerset House hosts two weeks of alfresco summer screenings. Includes screenings of premieres, double bills and classics. There is also an opportunity for film fans to vote for their favourite film to be screened on 19 August. Tickets start from £16. Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA. Nearest tube: Temple. For more information, visit the Somerset House website.

• 14 – 16 August : Trinity Summer Series Cinema

The gardens of the Trinity Hospice in Clapham will be open to the public for screenings over three nights with screenings of Some Like It Hot, Blues Brothers and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Tickets sales go to the Hospice. 30 Clapham Common North Side, SW4 ORN. Nearest tube: Clapham Common. For more information and booking, visit the Trinity Hospice website.

• 26 August – 6 September : Drive In Film Club

A pop-up film club at Brent Cross Shopping Centre’s South Car Park. Films including Dirty Dancing, Grease, Pulp Fiction and the new release Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. Rollerskating attendants will bring popcorn and snacks to your car. Price: £22 per car (all occupants included). Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Prince Charles Drive, The Hyde, Brent Cross, NW4 3FP. For more information and tickets, visit the Experience Cinema website.

• 3 – 26 September : More London Free Film Festival

There will be free screenings of films in The Scoop, near Potter’s Field Park. Films include Philomena, Life Of Pi, The Goonies, Mandela: The Long Walk To Freedom and The Truman Show. Nearest tube: London Bridge. For more information and listings, visit the More London website.

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