English seaside cinemas

Brighton Duke of York’s, East Sussex, is grade II listed and is quite possibly Britain’s oldest continuously-operated cinema having been in action since 1910.  There is a fabulous pair of legs kicking out into the air from the roof at the left hand side of the splendid Edwardian façade. Bonkers, but brilliant – and very English seaside. The annual projection of the Eurovision Song Contest onto the big screen is a party not to be missed. And did you know that ABBA won the Eurovision in Brighton in 1974?

Bognor Regis Picturedrome, West Sussex, is a cinema experience as it should be.  This true hidden gem has a loyal customer base enjoying the latest films at excellent value prices (just £2.50 and £3.50!). The most prominent feature of the building is an octagonal lantern tower, which at one time housed a revolving light – operated by a boy pedalling a bicycle-type mechanism that advertised its presence for miles around. Take to the back row for a romantic weepie – the ultimate authentic viewing experience and perfect for Valentines.

Bournemouth ABC, Dorset, opened in 1937 in a particularly striking Art Deco design. The Cinema proved so stylish that in 1951 it attracted the World Premiere of Happy Go Lovely starring David Niven. Sadly, much of the Art Deco design is now hidden, but this, and the neighbouring former Bournemouth Gaumont cinema (also now an Odeon), give Bournemouth two classic cinemas in one street.

Harwich Electric Palace, Essex, first opened in 1911 and has many features, including the ornamental frontage, ticket box & entrance lobby, are original and the interior has been lovingly restored to its former glory.  Electric Palace closed in 1956 after 45 years of screening films - and was forgotten until 1972 when the rescue and restoration began, after the cinema was threatened with demolition to make way for a car park. After nearly a decade of hard work and grant funding, the Palace re-opened on 29 November 1981- the cinema's 70th anniversary. The auditorium has seating for 200 with full disabled access plus seating space for four wheelchairs. A-list actor, Clive Owen, is the Patron.

Kings Lynn Majestic, Norfolk, is a gorgeous late 1920’s cinema with three screens and a delightful mosaic floor in the foyer and many stained glass windows. Grade II listed since 2001.

Torbay Blue Walnut Café, Devon has a uniquely quirky 24 seat Nickelodeon cinema screening films from the early 1900s through to the present day.  At the other end of the scale, Torbay Apollo 9, is a massive seafront cinema complex where the back two rows of seats have chummy or 'love' seats.

Southwold Electric Palace, Suffolk, is an extraordinary fake! Built in 1912-style, it was actually built in 2002 with an eye to authentic detail – including a rising ‘Wurlitzer’ organ.

Weston-super-Mare Odeon, North Somerset, is a stunning Grade II* listed building in the sleek modernist style typical of mid-1930s chic. Weston Odeon still has its original Compton organ, located in Screen 4 – it is still in use on certain occasions.

Whitehaven Rosehill Theatre, Cumbria, occasionally screens films in its atmospheric surroundings – a delightful experience in this often overlooked Georgian town on England’s north west coast.

Worthing Dome, Sussex, proudly re-opened its doors to cinema lovers in Summer 2007 following a two year, £2.3m, makeover (half of which came from the National Lottery).  Grade II* listed, the cinema is itself a film star, having appeared in the 1980s classic, Wish You Were Here.