Picnic Cinema, Cumbria

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

Book now

Picnic Cinema

Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
3-12 August 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Image courtesy of Eden Arts
Book now

Picnic Cinema, the North’s number one outdoor cinema, ups the ante this summer with their latest season of cult and classic cinema events set in spectacular locations. Once again, the premier attraction is a series of screenings of Withnail & I at Sleddale Hall a.k.a Crow Crag or Uncle Monty’s Cottage, where the classic was filmed near Shap, Cumbria just over 30 years ago.

This year, the outdoor cinema specialists have also lined up a Muncaster Castle Weekender. Set in the grounds of the Grade I listed building, Picnic Cinema will host extravagant screenings of cult comedies The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and The Big Lebowski.

Meanwhile, brave film fans can set up camp in Hamsterley Forest in County Durham for a nighttime viewing of British werewolf flick, Dog Soldiers.  Picknickers will also have the opportunity to see Ben Wheatley’s horror-comedy Sightseers at Lowther Castle — a location not far from those featured in the film.

The folk behind Picnic Cinema have built up quite a following in the six years since they started, with guests flying in from around the world to attend screenings. Each event features music and games specially tailored to the films and attendees are encouraged to don their best movie inspired fancy dress and prepare to party.

Where to go near Picnic Cinema, Cumbria

Cumbria
Wastwater

Wastwater is the deepest lake in England at 258 feet and one of the most dramatic spots in the country to swim.

Cumbria
Gallery
Florence Arts Centre

Florence Mine has been transformed into a centre for cultural activity, offering workshops, gallery space, cinema and music venue.

TheBeacon, courtesy of venue
Cumbria
Museum
The Beacon

The Beacon in Whitehaven provides a well-used museum service for local families and visitors, drawing on rich collections – fine and decorative arts, social history, archaeology and natural sciences.

Cumbria
Gallery
Lowes Court Gallery

Lowes Court Gallery in Egremont aims to showcase the quality of traditional and contemporary Cumbrian craft, led by a membership of artists.

Cumbria
Museum
The Ruskin Museum

The Ruskin Museum tells the story of Coniston in Cumbria – a place of copper mines and slate quarries, Swallows & Amazons country where Beatrix Potter owned farms and Stone Age fell walkers once dwelled.

LawsonParkFarm, courtesy of venue
Cumbria
Bed & Breakfast
Lawson Park Farm Cottage

Award-winning self-catering holiday accommodation that is not only beautiful but also supports the pioneering work of Grizedale Arts.

Brantwood, image courtesy of venue
Cumbria
Museum
Brantwood

The Lake District home of the radical social and cultural thinker, John Ruskin.

Cumbria
Gallery
Grizedale Arts

Grizedale Arts continues to explore the role of art in society from its award winning eco-base near Coniston.

What's on: Cinema

A girl lies down in a field of daisies.
Until
CinemaManchester
The Worlds of Mamoru Hosoda at HOME

This summer, HOME presents a short season of films from celebrated Japanese animator Mamoru Hosoda, screening on the big screen in stunning 4K for the first time.

From £4.70

Culture Guides

Detail of an abstract sculpture, with burned materials and rusty chicken wire at the centre, with rusted metal bars bent around it.
Exhibitions in the North

Chocolate fountains, beautiful batiks and medieval marginalia - this month's supersized Exhibitions Guide has it all.

Literature Events in the North

The autumn leaves might be falling already, but the harvest is plentiful as the live literature scene gets back into the swing of things after a summer break...

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

This season’s theatre is gloriously eclectic: from radical cabaret and reinvented classics to new musicals and boundary-pushing performance.

Cinema in the North

This month we recommend a season of Film noir, cult Australian movies and a huge celebration of DIY community cinema.