For those looking for a cultural fix, here’s a listing of cinemas & theatres in Kensington and Chelsea.

Cinemas in Kensington & Chelsea

There are a number of cinemas all over the borough including a handful of those belonging to the big chain names. Our tip is to head to the smaller, independent cinemas for a more personal – and let’s face, comfier! – experience.

Ciné lumière
17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT
Underground: South Kensington
Website:
www.institut-francais.org.uk
Located in the Institut Francais, the Ciné lumière largely shows a variety of new and recent French and other foreign language films, whilst Sunday afternoons are reserved for “French classics”. The large auditorium provides a comfortable film viewing experience, and tickets are very reasonably priced in comparison to some of the large chains.

Cineworld Chelsea
279 Kings Road, SW3 5EW
Website:
www.cineworld.co.uk
Shows all the latest blockbuster releases. Unfortunately, this cinema is a little tricky to get to by Underground, though can easily be reached by bus.

Cineworld Fulham Road
142 Fulham Road, SW10 9QR
Underground: South Kensington
Website:
www.cineworld.co.uk
All big films on show here!

Coronet Cinema
103 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3LB
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
Website:
www.coronet.org
Housed in a beautiful grand old building, this cinema makes a change from the usual multiplexes. Monday nights are student nights, whilst on Tuesdays tickets only cost £3.50 for everyone!

Curzon Chelsea
206 King’s Road, SW3 5XP
Underground: Sloane Square
Website:
www.curzoncinemas.com/#/venues/chelsea
Highly recommended, this wonderful cinema shows a mixture of the latest mainsteam releases as well as arthouse stuff too. If you’re in the area and looking for your film fix, try this cinema rather than some of the chain cinemas above – you’ll enjoy it much more!

Electric Cinema
191 Portobello Road, W11 2ED
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
Website:
www.electriccinema.co.uk
Wonderfully refurbished to its former glory, this delightful cinema shows a mixture of current box-office hits and older movies. For something special, try booking one of the two seater sofas, kicking back with a bottle of wine from the concession stand. A “Kids’ Club” (i.e. showing children’s films) is held every Saturday morning, whilst Monday afternoons have a parent and baby screening.

The Gate Cinema
87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
Website:
www.picturehouses.co.uk/site/cinemas/gate/local.htm
Beautiful cinema with incredibly comfy seats, this is what film-going should be like everywhere! Shows a mixture of quirky, independent films, foreign ones and older classics.

Odeon Kensington
Kensington High Street, W8 6NA
Underground: High Street Kensington
Website:
www.odeon.co.uk
Six-screen cinema opposite Holland park. Standard chain cinema, albeit one that’s housed in a beautiful old building.

Theatres in Kensington & Chelsea

Kensington & Chelsea isn’t perhaps particularly well known for its theatres, and most visitors to London probably head out to the central London to take in a show. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty right on your doorstep! Better still, many of these small venues provide a more intimate and enjoyable evening than places that are considered more mainstream.

Finborough Theatre
118 Finborough Road, SW10 9ED
Underground: West Brompton/Earls Court Road
Website:
www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Award winning theatre, it celebrated its 30th year in 2010.

Gate Theatre
11 Pembridge Road, W11 3HQ
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
Website:
www.gatetheatre.co.uk
Despite a capacity of only 70, this ambitious theatre is well-known as something of a springboard for up-and-coming talent.

Holland Park Theatre
Holland Park, W8 6LU
Underground: High Street Kensington/Holland Park
Website:
www.operahollandpark.com
Wonderful open-air theatre with fantastic opera performances every summer. (The season runs from the beginning of June to mid-August each year.)

MacOwan Theatre
Logan Place, W8 6QN
Underground: Earls Court Road
Website:
www.lamda.org.uk/development/events/macowan.htm
A LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) theatre, occasional productions are put on throughout the year. Check the website for upcoming events.

Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Underground: Sloane Square
Website:
www.royalcourttheatre.com
One of London’s best theatres, the Royal Court Theatre’s productions are amongst the most innovative in the capital.

4 Comments on “Cinemas & Theatres”

    1. Unfortunately these can change so rather than (unknowingly) give out wrong information, it’s easiest to just link to the websites where all contact details can be found.

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