Occupying an attractive red-brick corner building, the Hyde Park Picture House is a favorite among the local student community and the cinema-going public. Buy tickets to see an independent film in its charming, atmospheric screening room.
The Hyde Park Picture House was first built in 1914 and despite the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, opened its doors in November of that same year. The first movie to be screened here was the silent drama Their Only Son. In the 1920s, the cinema was updated to accommodate films with sound. Ask older cinema-going locals to tell you about the events of 1989, when the cinema faced closure, only to be saved by Leeds City Council.
Since its opening, the owners have proclaimed the cinema to be the “coziest in Leeds.” Test this claim by booking tickets to a show. The cinema only has one screening room and therefore only one film shown at any time. Screenings range from mainstream movies to more independent arthouse films to Bollywood spectaculars.
Check ahead to see if there are any special events happening. Everything from talks to Q&As to special screenings are held here. The cinema also hosts baby-friendly screenings as well as late-night showings.
Before you venture inside the cinema, take a moment to admire the attractive exterior. Note the Dutch gable at the top.
Enter the building to explore the inside of the cinema, which has been used for filming several TV shows and movies. The auditorium, which seats 275 people, features Victoria 8 projectors, which were taken from the now-closed Lounge cinema in Headingley. Also of note is the auditorium’s balcony, a rare feature in modern-day cinemas.
Hyde Park Picture House is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Leeds in England’s West Yorkshire. To get there, take a bus from central Leeds or ride the train to Burley Park station. The cinema is less than 10 minutes’ walk from the station.