Backyard Cinema are setting up camp in Camden Market this summer for six weeks
© Backyard Cinema 2015

Us Londoners don’t get anywhere near the amount of hot weather we would like. So when it is warm and sunny, we all head outside. Of course, this leaves film fans in a predicament – who wants to be stuck indoors when the weather is so glorious? Over the past few years, pop-up and open air cinemas have been steadily rising in popularity and this summer should see no difference. Here’s a guide to the capital’s open-air cinemas so you can enjoy some alfresco entertainment with an ice cold beer or wine… sounds good doesn’t it?

• 19 April – September : Rooftop Film Club

The Rooftop Film Club is for rooftops only (obviously). Screening a mix of films including recent releases and classics. Venues include the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, Roof East in Stratford, Bussey Building in Peckham Rye, and Kensington Roof Gardens. Ticket includes headphones, blankets and deckchairs. Tickets; £14-22. To find out more, visit the Rooftop Film Club website.

• 26 April – 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 Cemetery, Hyde Park Lido, Hoxton Hotel, Hippodrome, Middle Temple Gardens and more. Ticket prices vary depending on package (some  include food and drinks and other bonuses). To find out more, visit the Nomad Cinema website.

• 15 May – September : Pop Up Screens

Travelling pop -up cinema appears in both alfresco and indoor venues, with food and alcohol stands accompanying them. 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. To find out about screenings and bookings, visit the Pop Up Screens website. Check out Metro Girl’s review of Pop Up Screens at Morden Hall Park here. 

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

• 3 June – September : Backyard Cinema

Watch a selection of classic or newer films on cosy beanbags or deckchairs as Backyard Cinema goes to various locations, including Camden Lock Market and the Lynx pop-up in Brick Lane. For more information and listings, visit the Backyard Cinema website. To read Metro Girl’s review and details of the Camden pop-up (on over August), click here.

• 9 June – 7 July : Drive In Film Club

A drive in cinema at Alexandra Palace for cars and their occupants. Films including Grease (singalong), Birdman, Top Gun, Pulp Fiction, Back To The Future and 50 Shades Of Grey. Rollerskating attendants will bring hotdogs, popcorn and snacks to your car. Price: £22 per car (all occupants included). Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY. For more information and tickets, visit the Experience Cinema website.

• 19 – 25 June : British Summer Time Film Festival

As part of the British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park, there will be 10 free film screenings over five days (19, 22 – 25 June). Access is on first come, first served basis so grab a blanket and head down. Films include Wizard Of Oz, Pride, Casablanca, Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters and Singalong Grease, among others. There will also be a street food market on site and performances by theatre company Chickenshed. Screenings at 6pm and 8.30pm. Hyde Park, W2 2UH. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch. For more information, visit the British Summer Time website.

• 20 June – 17 August : Pillow Cinema

Enjoy a cosy night in… outside on a giant pillow with snuggly blanket if it gets cold. Films include The Notebook, Birdman, Fifty Shades Of Grey, Clueless and The Imitation Game. Tickets: £12.50pp (2 people per bean bag). Pillow Cinema, SNAP Studios, Wimbourne House, 151-155 New North Road, Shoreditch, N1 6TA. Nearest station: Hoxton, Old Street or Essex Road. For more information and booking, visit the Pillow Cinema website.

• 1 July – 20 September : Luna Cinema

As well as venues outside London, Luna Cinema will be popping up at various venues across the capital this summer. Locations include Alexandra Palace, Battersea Park, Brockwell Lido, Crystal Palace Park, Dulwich Park, Hampton Court Palace, Hatfield House, Kensington Palace, Kew Gardens, Modern Hall Park, One New Change, Opera Holland Park, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Tooting Common. Blankets and wedges available at every screening. For more information and listings, visit the Luna Cinema website.

• 7 – 28 July : Vauxhall One Summer Screen

Vauxhall One host four free screenings over the summer in the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Films include Clueless, Zoolander, Dazed & Confused and a public vote choice. There will also be street food from Grill My Cheese, Busan BBQ and Rotli Crew. 7pm onwards on Tuesdays in June. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens (Entrance on Kennington Lane), Vauxhall, SE11 5HY. Nearest station: Vauxhall. For more information, visit the Vauxhall One website.

• 22 July – 9 August: Classic Films @ Canary Wharf

Watch digitally-restored classic films from the BFI National Archive on the big screen. Movies include Penny Points To Paradise, The Salvage Gang, Night Ferry, Godzilla, Let’s Go Crazy and others. Free. Screenings at 6pm and 11am on Saturdays. Canada Square Park, Docklands, E14. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. For more information, visit the Canary Wharf website.

• 5 August – 4 September : The Regent’s Place Summer Cinema

Several free film screenings a week, including Mamma Mia, Grease, Frozen and Jumanji. Free. Screenings take place at 6.30pm Wed-Fri and 3.30pm Sat. Regent’s Place, NW1 3HF. Nearest tube: Warren Street. For more information, visit the Regent’s Place website.

• 6 – 7, 14 and 15 August : East Village Film Fest

East Village in Stratford have teamed up with Nomad cinema for a four day free film festival. Films including Thelma & Louise, Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind, The Lost Boys and Paddington will be watched on a big screen, while listening to headphones. Priority will be given to residents of East Village. East Village, Stratford, E20 1AT. Nearest station: Stratford. For more information, visit the East Village website.

• 6 – 19 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. Movies include Gemma Bovery, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Graduate, Do The Right Thing and West Side Story. 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.

• 19 – 21 August : Summer Cinema Series

The gardens of the Trinity Hospice in Clapham will be open to the public for screenings over three nights with screenings of The Breakfast Club, Casablanca and Mrs Doubtfire. Tickets sales go to the Hospice. There will be a licensed bar serving alcohol, as well as popcorn and cake. Tickets: Adults £15, Children £10. Trinity Hospice, 30 Clapham Common North Side, SW4 ORN. Nearest tube: Clapham Common. For more information and booking, visit the Trinity Hospice website.

• 27 – 29 August : Summer Love Weekend @ British Museum

Three open-air screenings from the BFI in the front courtyard of the British Museum. Featuring A Room With A View, Badlands and The Princess Bride. 8.15pm. Tickets: £15. British Museum, Great Russell Street, Holborn, WC1B 3DG. Nearest station: Holborn or Tottenham Court Road. For more information and booking, visit the BFI website.

• 2 – 24 September :  More London Free Film Festival

There will be free screenings of films in The Scoop, near Potter’s Field Park. Films include The Imitation Game, Paddington, Ghostbusters, Frozen, The Thoery Of Everything, Moulin Rouge!, Big, Zoolander and The Sound Of Music. 7.30pm. The Scoop, Queen’s Walk, SE1 2DB. Nearest tube: London Bridge. For more information and listings, visit the More London website. While you’re there, why not get food or drink from the nearby London Riviera pop-up.

• 17 – 26 September : Hot Tub Cinema

Watch your favourite film while relaxing in a hot tub with your closest pals. Films include Bridesmaids, Dirty Dancing, Superbad and Free Willy. Fully licensed bar available. Tickets start from £24pp. 18 Warburton Road, Hackney, E8 3RT. Nearest station: London Fields. For booking, visit Hot Tub Cinema’s website.

• Once a month : Trader Vic’s Tiki Cinema

Although not outside, Trader Vic’s in the London Hilton are hosting monthly screenings in their Tiki-themed bar and restaurant. Movies include Dr No (8 June), 50 First Dates (13 July), The Rum Diary (10 August), Jaws (14 September) and Top Gun (12 October). Film starts at 7.30pm, food is served from 6pm. Tickets: £13 (including screening and a cocktail). Trader Vic’s, 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1BE. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner. For more information, visit the Trader Vic’s website.

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