Outdoor Cinema

Creative Tourist

Pop-up outdoor cinemas are nothing new. From screens under flyovers old railway stations and screens in the grounds of grand houses to others that hunker down for a night at canal-side car parks, the trend for one-off film screenings has been building year on year. Here’s our pick of the best outdoor cinema spots in the North – pack popcorn, a torch and someone to grab during the scary bits.

Our top picks

Tatton Park

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN - Visit now

Occupying over 1,000 acres of land in Cheshire, the Tatton Park estate could more properly be called a pleasure garden. Much like the outdoor spaces used for entertainment that were popular in the 18th century, Tatton offers a range of diversions across its vast grounds – including a wide range of screenings over the summer.

Percy the Park Keeper - The Secret Path in the Gardens, Tatton Park
Courtesy of the venue.

Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4SJ - Visit now

Look out for frequent summer screenings at Dunham Massey come the summer months. Spend a magical evening under the stars with classic and contemporary films in a spectacular setting.

Path winding through the garden at Dunham Massey, Cheshire
National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Lowther Castle and Gardens

Lowther Castle and Gardens, Lowther Castle and Gardens, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH - Visit now

Lowther Castle in Cumbria is pure fairytale picturebook: 200 years old, standing in rolling pastoral landscape and at the head of the little known but idyllic Lowther Valley. It’s also one of Picnic Cinema’s main venues for their annual outdoor screenings.

Lowther Castle and Gardens

Lyme

Lyme, Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR - Visit now

A jewel in the National Trust’s crown, Lyme Park is also known to host its own outdoor film events. Look out for crowd-pleasing cult classics with blankets and a bar.

Muncaster Castle

Muncaster Castle, Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ - Visit now

A historic – and supposedly haunted – castle in Cumbria, which also plays host to Picnic Cinema events annually.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Theatre this month bursts with contrasts - from bold new writing and Black History Month highlights to contemporary arts and reimagined classics.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

Cinema in the North

A host of Halloween horrors, experimental shorts, plus pioneering black British cinema make our October Cinema Guide.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...