Unique and Unusual Cinemas

Electric Cinema

Are you sitting comfortably? At the Electric Cinema you should be. Opened in 1910 the Electric Cinema on Portobello Road is now London's oldest cinema. Relax in large leather armchairs, footstools with a separate table for your food and drink. Comfort is paramount with more space than will get at a regular cinema with a bar at the back of the cinema. The Electric screens both mainstream and art-house films.

Prince Charles Cinema

Set just off Leicester Square, this independent cinema offers cut-price cinema tickets for a wide range of films. The Prince Charles hosts major blockbusters as well as specialist screenings. Don't miss their sing along nights, where audience participation is strongly encouraged. Sing your heart out to The Sound of Music, Annie, Joseph or the Rocky Horror Show.

Cine - Lumiere

Located at the Institut francais du Royaume -Uni in South Kensington, the Cine- Lumiere specialises in the very best of French, European and World cinema. The cinema can seat 300 people and don't worry if you can't speak French - all the films are screened with English subtitles.

IMAX 3D

For a more realistic cinematic experience, take a trip to one of London's IMAX cinemas, don a pair of silly-looking glasses and immerse yourself in the action. There are two IMAX cinemas, one at the Science Museum and the other, a state-of-the art purpose built venue on the South Bank. The BFI IMAX cinema is also home to the UK's biggest screen.

BFI Southbank

The newly refurbished BFI Southbank, formerly the National Film Theatre opened its doors on 14 March. The three cinema spaces screen a selection of classic, contemporary, avant garde and traditional films, from around the world and much closer to home. Visitors will also be able to browse hundreds of hours of film and television from the BFI National Archive, a drop-in studio cinema and the Filmstore offering a range of films and books sold to you by a team of BFI experts.

Himalaya Palace

The Bollywood movie industry has taken the world by storm over the past few years and the Himalaya Palace Cinema in Southall, West London is one of the best places to go and check out the latest releases. This Grade II listed building was built in 1929 by George Cole and functioned as a cinema until 1975 when it was converted into a shopping centre. Recently restored, in conjunction with English Heritage, the cinema has three screens.