Phoenix Cinema

One of the oldest continually used cinemas in the UK, this single screen community cinema, run by locals and a charitable trust, opened in 1912 in this lovely leafy area. The recently restored auditorium ceiling is barrel-vaulted with art deco panels. It shows mostly art-house films, but occasionally puts on live ballet and opera, and toddler screenings. It was built at a time when moviegoing was just becoming an acceptable, normal thing to do. Before then, films were mostly screened in fairgrounds and makeshift shops and seen as a bit seedy. The history of this cinema and how it has supported independent film for over 100 years is just brilliant.