Pop-up cinemas have become a real summer staple across the UK, appearing everywhere from iconic landmarks to magnificent country homes. Often showing our favourite classic movies, and sometimes screening brand new releases to enjoy al fresco, outdoor cinemas are a special way to enjoy an atmospheric evening at the pictures.
What could be better than bringing your loved ones and a picnic to a screening of your favourite film on a summer evening? Join CrossCountry as we explore the best outdoor cinemas in the UK.
Outdoor Cinema, various locations
Outdoor Cinema has a range of summer and Halloween cinema screenings on offer across the UK. With favourites like Mamma Mia!, Encanto, and Harry Potter. Outdoor Cinema encourages a good time for all, which means plenty of singing and dancing to movie soundtracks.
Outdoor Cinema has lots of locations, plenty of which are accessible with CrossCountry. Head to Leicester for a July screening of Grease or to Wolverhampton for Beauty and the Beast in August.
Burghley House, Stamford
Burghley House is a stunning example of Elizabethan architectural prowess. The 16th-century country house is just one of many reasons to visit the charming town of Stamford in Lincolnshire, and for one weekend only, it becomes even more inviting with a jam-packed programme of open-air cinema screenings.
Starting with an evening showing of The Greatest Showman, the stately home promises a weekend full of your favourite flicks – from hopelessly romantic Pride and Prejudice to family favourite The Gruffalo.
You can reach Stamford station by train with CrossCountry from Birmingham New Street, Oakham, and Leicester.
Castle Howard, Yorkshire
The perfect location for families and film fans alike, Castle Howard near York will be taken over by Hollywood for one weekend in July. Expect blockbuster classics and joyful sing-alongs, such as The Greatest Showman and Mamma Mia!. The stunning baroque mansion, with its beautifully manicured gardens, provides the ultimate backdrop for a summer evening movie.
This outdoor cinema experience is made possible by Adventure Cinema, a fantastic organisation that holds events all over the UK, including at the Eden Project in Cornwall and Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire. All events have hot food and snacks available, but picnics are welcome too.
Castle Howard is easy to reach by train when you travel with CrossCountry. Simply travel to York station and hop on a bus to Castle Howard.
The Vyne, Basingstoke
In July, the gardens and orchards of The Vyne in Basingstoke will transform into a night at the movies with the help of Adventure Cinema. Beginning with a lively The Greatest Showman sing-along and concluding with The Imitation Game on Sunday, this beautiful National Trust property is the perfect summer day trip idea. Expect a fully stocked bar and some delicious food from a range of street food vans.
You can get to Basingstoke station with CrossCountry, just hop on a train from Reading or Bournemouth.
Wollaton Hall, Nottingham
Wollaton Hall is a striking Elizabethan country house set within a vast deer park. Dating back to the 16th century, it’s often described as a prodigy house, meaning a ‘large and showy’ country house characteristic of the Tudor, Elizabethan, or Jacobean periods. The historic estate regularly hosts events, like indoor exhibitions and live orchestras, and for a select summer weekend, it will transform into a magical open-air cinema setting.
Catch a bus from Nottingham station, and enjoy a scorching August day accompanied by refreshing drinks on tap, sizzling street food, and the fantastic company of Dirty Dancing, Sing, or Jurassic Park.
Nostell Priory, Wakefield
Nostell Priory is an 18th-century Palladian house built on the site of a medieval priory. On a visit here, you can peruse the kitchen garden, enjoy a picnic by the lake, and enjoy acres of ancient woodland and wildflower meadows. It’s a great place to visit in summer, especially during June, when you can experience the open-air cinema.
Adventure Cinema is showing an exciting weekend of outdoor movies at Nostell Priory, starting with Pretty Woman on Thursday evening and concluding with Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration on Sunday. CrossCountry runs trains to Wakefield Westgate, from there walk to the bus and coach station, and there are routes straight to Nostell Priory.
Chatsworth House, Chesterfield
Chatsworth House is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite architectural creations in the UK. The intricate murals in the Painted Hall by Louis Laguerre, the centuries-old cascade designed to mimic a natural waterfall, the serene chapel with its alabaster altar – everything at Chatsworth seems to have been dipped in lavishness. A day out here, particularly in summer, is unforgettable.
In July, Chatsworth House is hosting a weekend of outdoor movie magic. Get comfortable in the grass, or on a deckchair and experience a range of fantastic films on a huge outdoor screen. Enjoy a Wicked Sing-along on Friday, treat your family to an afternoon showing of Sing, or finish the weekend the right way with the timeless romance Pretty Woman.
You can get to Chatsworth House by train from Chesterfield station, with regular buses and taxis available. Travel to Chesterfield with CrossCountry from destinations like Birmingham New Street and Sheffield.
King’s College, Cambridge
King's College may appear as a temple of scholarly pursuits, but there’s plenty of fun that goes on here, too. In July, against the backdrop of the 15th-century university buildings, you can let your hair down with a fabulous outdoor cinema sing-along. Or, if you fancy something a little more thought-provoking, The Imitation Game is showing on Sunday – the story of Alan Turing, who actually studied at the very college that is now hosting the movie!
If you’re catching a train to Cambridge station, hop on a CrossCountry service from locations like Peterborough, Ely, and Melton Mowbray.
If you’re planning to visit an outdoor cinema, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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