TOWPATH MOVIES
H & H unique waterway guides: the list includes over 30 towns and cities with cinemas and good moorings near by for narrowboats last updated August 2007.
The company still continues but no longer directly operates hotelboats.
H & H now trades as a consultancy and training company, provide a unique range of services to the Inland Waterways, Marine Tourism, UK Hospitality and Mediation sectors .
To find out more please click on this link
Big changes over the last few years have been the take over of Virgin by UGC and ABC by Odeon so some movie houses have changed name and décor. This has continued with further consolidation since the last update.
New multiplex continue to open and small cinemas to shut i.e. over the last 2 years in Coventry, Leicester, Northampton, Birmingham, Worcester, Manchester and London Docklands. Robins Cinema chain has also folded with most venues shutting.
I love the movies, and not having television aboard Hind and Hart, enjoy slipping away for a couple of hours to the magical world of the silver screen.
Remember the African Queen, Titanic and Mutiny on the Bounty were all about boats!
The following is a list of cinemas, many of which I have visited, all are within reasonable walking distance of a mooring. - Which I define as a brisk, for up to 20 minutes.
This list is intended as a practical aid for all narrow boaters who enjoy an occasional trip to the flics and may be especially useful if our wonderful summer weather makes on shore entertainment for the kids essential!
There is a bias to listing art houses i.e. independent cinemas in England-as these tend to show much more interesting fare than the predictable Hollywood blockbusters. However as I enjoy a bit of harmless escapism as much as everyone else, I have also listed the chain cinemas.
They are listed by waterway, if you have suggestions for others to add, please email me.
I hope it will assist you in your holiday route planning. For details on mooring see the Shopping guide section.
For current program and times on any of the cinemas below phone SCOOT on 0800-192-192.
For film buff humour check out http://www.moviecliches.com
RIVER AVON
Stratford upon Avon: Moor either in the Basin, on the Canal or on the extensive River Moorings.
Stratford Picture House, two screens, very comfortable, bar, some art house films, close to the main Shakespeare Museum.
BASINGSTOKE CANAL
Basingstoke: Two cinemas The Anvil, shows occasional Art House films and a Warner Village multiplex.
BRIDGEWATER CANAL
Manchester City Centre: Moor in Castlefield near YMCA.
The Cornerhouse, comfortable 3 screen Art house 10-minute walk up the Rochdale Towpath - Avoid this route at night.
Big Multiplex by Victoria Station.
Odeon -23 screen Multiplex in the Printworks next to the Arndale Shopping centre close to Marks and Spenser.
Another huge- 20 screen- AMC Multiplex beside the GMEX centre 10 minutes walk from Castlefield, (in 2002 if you bought a ticket they gave you a voucher for a free return visit!).
Big Multiplex by Victoria Station.
Odeon -23 screen Multiplex in the Printworks next to the Arndale Shopping centre close to Marks and Spenser.
Another huge- 20 screen- AMC Multiplex beside the GMEX centre 10 minutes walk from Castlefield, (in 2002 if you bought a ticket they gave you a voucher for a free return visit!).
BIRMINGHAM CANAL NAVIGATIONS
Birmingham City Centre: Moor at Sherborne Wharf or outside The National Indoor Arena.
UGC huge new –O
Odeon, 8 screen in New St near the station, 15 minute walk.
UGC Arcadian, 8 screen Multiplex, in Chinatown, 15-minute walk.
The Electric is very close to New St Station and claims to be the oldest cinema in the UK, some art house movies.
There is also a trendy art house, the Mac but I have never found it!
A monster 30 screen multiplex is now open beside the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal- Star City near Perry Barr- the largest in the UK?
Birmingham also has a new IMAX.
Dudley: Odeon 10 screen near Merry Hill moorings
Walsall: Showcase cinema multiplex outside town centre but visible from the curley wurley.
Wolverhampton:
There is also a trendy art house, the Mac but I have never found it!
A monster 30 screen multiplex is now open beside the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal- Star City near Perry Barr- the largest in the UK?
Birmingham also has a new IMAX.
Dudley: Odeon 10 screen near Merry Hill moorings
Walsall: Showcase cinema multiplex outside town centre but visible from the curley wurley.
Wolverhampton:
On the Wyrley and Essington Canal, At Wednesfield junction is a 10 screen Cineworld Multiplex, with own moorings.
The Light House shows art house movies- 2 screens & very comfortable- in city centre very near the top lock of the 21.
The Light House shows art house movies- 2 screens & very comfortable- in city centre very near the top lock of the 21.
BIRMINGHAM AND WORCESTER
Worcester: Moor by Lock 4 on the Commandery Visitor Moorings.
Vue Multiplex almost beside the Commandery - 3 minute crawl
Odeon seven screen opposite the Station in town centre, updated sub division of picture palace. 10-15 minutes walk
Vue Multiplex almost beside the Commandery - 3 minute crawl
Odeon seven screen opposite the Station in town centre, updated sub division of picture palace. 10-15 minutes walk
CALDON CANAL
Stoke on Trent: Best to moor by the Black Prince Marina on the Trent and Mersey.
3 minutes walk to the 10 screen Odeon multiplex, with 10-pin bowling alley right next door to the Marina.
3 minutes walk to the 10 screen Odeon multiplex, with 10-pin bowling alley right next door to the Marina.
COVENTRY CANAL
Coventry: Moor on the excellent and safe Visitor moorings in the Basin, 10 min walk over footbridge to town centre. 10 screen Odeon Skydome multiplex- sounds like a location for a star wars episode, but is just another big shed multiplex- is beside Spon St.
Tamworth: Odeon Multiplex near the railway station
GRAND UNION CANAL: MAIN LINE AND LEICESTER SECTION
Leicester: Moor on the Floating Pontoons by West Bridge, safe for overnight moorings; 5 minute walk to the city centre.
Art house movies at Phoenix Arts in Newarke St close to the moorings.
Odeon multiplex on edge of city centre in Freeman’s Park near Freeman’s Lock.
Sadly three other city centre cinemas have closed recently.
Art house movies at Phoenix Arts in Newarke St close to the moorings.
Odeon multiplex on edge of city centre in Freeman’s Park near Freeman’s Lock.
Sadly three other city centre cinemas have closed recently.
Loughborough: Moor outside the Albion Pub. 10 minute walk to town centre.
Curzon in the town centre is an old fashioned four screen, real 1970’s period gem with lots of vinyl and Formica.
Curzon in the town centre is an old fashioned four screen, real 1970’s period gem with lots of vinyl and Formica.
Birmingham City Centre: Moor at Sherborne Wharf or outside The National Indoor Arena.
AMC huge plush multiplex in Broad St, very close to the moorings
Odeon, 8 screen in New St near the station, 15 minute walk.
UGC Arcadian, 8 screen Multiplex, in Chinatown, 15-minute walk.
The Electric is very close to New St Station and claims to be the oldest cinema in the UK, some art house movies.
There is also a trendy art house, the Mac but I have never found it!
A monster 30 screen multiplex is now open beside the Birmingham & Fazeley Cana- near Perry Barr- the largest in the UK?
Birmingham also has a new IMAX.
There is also a trendy art house, the Mac but I have never found it!
A monster 30 screen multiplex is now open beside the Birmingham & Fazeley Cana- near Perry Barr- the largest in the UK?
Birmingham also has a new IMAX.
Royal Leamington Spa: Moor by Br 39 on visitors moorings, safe at night but noisy- or moor in Warwick and catch the bus! The main mooring is very close to the town centre. 5 minute walk to High St.
Apollo- modern comfortable six screen, close to the riverside park and the main Parade
The Royal, -one screen -nears the Courts- sometimes shows art house films.
Apollo- modern comfortable six screen, close to the riverside park and the main Parade
The Royal, -one screen -nears the Courts- sometimes shows art house films.
Northampton: Moor on the River above the Lock, but through South Bridge- near the new Morrisions supermarket. UGC multiplex on out skirts- may require bus. Also has 10 Pin Bowling.
Milton Keynes: Moor at Br 82 a for city centre, 20 minute walk or take the bus.
The Point, UCI, 10-screen multiplex. -the oldest multiplex in the UK - may have closed bought by Easy Cinema
The Point, UCI, 10-screen multiplex. -the oldest multiplex in the UK - may have closed bought by Easy Cinema
Another new multiplex, Cineworld opened in 2002 not sure of its location in this very confusing town but it is in the centre- called Xscape..- Beware buses stop early in Milton Keynes..
Leighton Buzzard: Visitor moorings at Tesco. Town centre 10 minutes from Br 114.
The Arts Centre shows art house movies most nights.
The Arts Centre shows art house movies most nights.
Aylesbury: Moor at the very friendly Aylesbury Canal Society at canal basin, safe overnight.
Town centre 5 minutes walk. Aylesbury Odeon Multiplex- modern and large-close to moorings- 3 minutes walk
Town centre 5 minutes walk. Aylesbury Odeon Multiplex- modern and large-close to moorings- 3 minutes walk
Berkhemstead: The small cimema in the High St has reopened.
Hemel Hempstead: Odeon Multiplex some distance from nearest moorings.
Slough: UGC Multiplex
Uxbridge: Multiplex Odeon cinema in the town centre
LONDON
Limehouse: Moor in the Limehouse Basin,
Nearby large Odeon multiplex at Surrey Quays accessible via the tube’s East London Line,
West India Quay UGC multiplex, Greenwich Cinema and Mile End Genesis by Docklands Light Rail.
Nearby large Odeon multiplex at Surrey Quays accessible via the tube’s East London Line,
West India Quay UGC multiplex, Greenwich Cinema and Mile End Genesis by Docklands Light Rail.
Or ride up to the West End. It does not have to cost the earth but probably will!
West End Odeon’s are no longer half price on Monday nights, after Odeon taking over ABC less competition and steep price rises.
The Plaza in the Haymarket near Piccadilly Circus is being rebuilt and is now closed
The Prince Charles Leicester Place, just off Leicester Sq. has range of movies, normally 4 different per day at between £2 to £3-50
Camden Town Odeon-6 screens- 10 minutes from Camden Lock, near the tube, Tuesdays cheap night.
London Art House Cinemas.
Sick of reading reviews of wonderful movies only to discover they are only on show at one screen in London!
BFI IMAX at Waterloo, very close to the station,
National Film Theatre on the South Bank:
very comfortable with some very unusual and often distinctly odd seasons, just the place to catch Albanian 1930’s or West African Musical seasons!
Odeon, Panton St shows Art house films and the Odeon Swiss Centre Foreign Films, both just off Leicester Sq, cheap on Mondays. Both rather characterless with small screens, popular with Europeans resident in London. For high culture the ½ Price theatre Ticket Booth is in the Sq.
Curzon Soho, Shaftsbury Avenue, 3 screens, mainly sub-titled foreign art house movies. Very trendy 30 something crowd, nice café and bar.
Metro, Rupert St just off Leicester Square, expensive 2 screen basement art house
Waterman’s Art Centre, High St Brentford, 3 screens 15-minute walk from Brentford Gauging lock.
Screen on the Hill, Haverstock Hill Belsize Park, very comfortable 1 screen, 20 minutes walk uphill or 168 bus from Camden Lock.
Screen on the Green, Upper Street Islington, 20 minutes from the Tunnel moorings, rather snooty where the New Labour in crowd go to the flicks. Good restaurants nearby.
Riverside Studios, Crisp Rd, Hammersmith.
The ICA Cinema, the Mall, Liz’s local cinema! Similar programming to NFT.
HUDDERSFIELD NARROW & BROAD-
Huddesfield: moor in Apsley Basin- 9 screen Odeon near the Galpharm Stadium outside town centre
KENNET AND AVON
Bristol: Moor in the floating harbour- City Centre 3 screen Odeon
Bath: Has three cinemas, all rather rundown and very close together in the town centre:
Including the art house Bath Little Thearte
The Robbins also shows interesting movies.
Odeon Multiplex outside town centre
Including the art house Bath Little Thearte
The Robbins also shows interesting movies.
Odeon Multiplex outside town centre
Devizes: One screen Palace cinema in the main market sq looks very scruffy, over Bingo hall always on the point of bankruptcy and may be shut down, has interesting art films once a fortnight.
Newbury: Moor at the West Mills.
Occasional films at the Newbury Corn Exchange, near the bridge in the town centre.
Occasional films at the Newbury Corn Exchange, near the bridge in the town centre.
Reading: Moor on the Thames or the Kennet backwater. There are four cinemas within the town.
The ABC- 3 screen now closed down?, the Odeon, The Reading Film Theatre -an art house one screen, and the huge very comfortable,Vue 8 screen multiplex built beside the Kennet, on Brewery Gut.
LEE AND STORT
Edmonton: 12 screen UCI multiplex riverside may be possible to moor near by.
Harlow: Moor near the town lock by the Station. Two cinema complex- The Harlow Cineworld Multiplex and
The Harlow Odeon .Cineworld is the closer to the river.
The Harlow Odeon .Cineworld is the closer to the river.
LEEDS & LIVERPOOL
Bradford: The National Museum of Film, Television and Photography is in the city centre, well worth a visit and contains an IMAX cinema one of only three in the UK.
Straight in front is the Bradford Film Theatre, which is a two-screen art house.
Cineworld Multiplex near the town centre.
Straight in front is the Bradford Film Theatre, which is a two-screen art house.
Cineworld Multiplex near the town centre.
MACCLESFIELD CANAL
Marple: The Regent a small one-screen cinema in the High St was still functioning in 2006
RIVER NENE:
Northampton: Moor on the River above the Lock, but through South Bridge- near the new Morrisions supermarket. Cineworld multiplex on the outskirts- may require bus. Also has 10 Pin Bowling.
Wellingborough: Moor by the Flour Mill, 10 minutes into town. Wellingborough Palace Cinema.
OXFORD CANAL
Rugby: Cineworld Multiplex near Tesco moorings
Oxford: Moor above Isis lock on the Canal or above Osney Lock on the River Thames, 10-minute walk into City Centre.
Two small Odeons in George St and Magdalene St
Oxford being a student town has not one but two trendy Art Houses, The Phoenix Picture House and the Oxford Ultimate Picture Palace.
Two small Odeons in George St and Magdalene St
Oxford being a student town has not one but two trendy Art Houses, The Phoenix Picture House and the Oxford Ultimate Picture Palace.
Banbury: Moor above the town lock couple of minutes into the centre.
Banbury Odeon, cinema in the centre of town- 2 screens
Banbury Odeon, cinema in the centre of town- 2 screens
Antsy: Moor in the village. Coventry’s Showcase multiplex 10 screens, is just outside the village beside the motorway, a 15-minute walk. Also has a 10-pin bowling alley and fast food outlet.
PEAK FOREST CANAL
Marple: The Regent a small one-screen cinema was still functioning in 2006.
ROCHDALE CANAL
Hebden Bridge: Small shabby cinema in town centre by canal.
Hebden Bridge: Small shabby cinema in town centre by canal.
RIVER SEVERN
Worcester: Moor by Lock 4 on the Commandery Visitor Moorings, 10 minutes.
Vue Multiplex almost beside the Commandery
Odeon seven screen opposite the Station in town centre, updated sub division of picture palace. 10-15 minutes walk
Vue Multiplex almost beside the Commandery
Odeon seven screen opposite the Station in town centre, updated sub division of picture palace. 10-15 minutes walk
Gloucester: Moor in the Gloucester Docks, 10-minute walk via alley by the Prison to centre.
New two screen art house in the Guildhall
New two screen art house in the Guildhall
Cineworld multiplex beside the Gloucester and Sharpness about 10 minutes walk from the Docks.
SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL
Chester: Moor above the locks near the Cathedral, 7-minute walk to the large Odeon, which is right in the city centre.
SOUTH STRATFORD CANAL
Stratford upon Avon: Moor either in the Basin, the Canal or on the extensive River Moorings.
A 10 minutes walk to the Stratford Picture House, with a very comfortable, bar, shows some art house films. Cinema is in a side street close to the Shakespeare Heritage Centre.
A 10 minutes walk to the Stratford Picture House, with a very comfortable, bar, shows some art house films. Cinema is in a side street close to the Shakespeare Heritage Centre.
Also occasional free open air public screenings in the park by the RSC
STAFFS & WORCESTER
Stafford: Moor on the outskirts- long walk in- 3 screen Apollo Cinema near town centre
RIVER THAMES
Brentford: Moor on the canal, 15-minute walk to the Waterman’s Arts Centre, Brentford High St, a 3-screen art house complex backing onto the River .
Richmond: Richmond Filmhouse one screen.
Kingston: Kingston ABC Options cinema.
Maidenhead: 15 minute walk from the expensive visitor moorings, by the town bridge.
Odeon Cinema, 3 screen, in town centre
Odeon Cinema, 3 screen, in town centre
Henley: Moor on the extensive visitor moorings, 10-minute walk over the bridge.
The Regal is a new small modern two-screen cinema near Waitrose.
The Regal is a new small modern two-screen cinema near Waitrose.
Reading: Moor on the K and A or on the Tesco River Thames moorings.
There are four cinemas within the town. The ABC- 3 screen, the Odeon, The Reading Film Theatre an art house one screen, and the Vue multiplex in the huge Oracle shopping complex.
There are four cinemas within the town. The ABC- 3 screen, the Odeon, The Reading Film Theatre an art house one screen, and the Vue multiplex in the huge Oracle shopping complex.
Oxford: Moor above Isis lock on the Canal or above Osney Lock on the River Thames, 10-minute walk into City Centre.
Two small Odeons in George St and Magdalene St
Oxford being a student town has not one but two trendy Art Houses, The Phoenix Picture House and the Oxford Ultimate Picture Palace.
Two small Odeons in George St and Magdalene St
Oxford being a student town has not one but two trendy Art Houses, The Phoenix Picture House and the Oxford Ultimate Picture Palace.
TRENT AND MERSEY
Stoke on Trent: Moor by the Black Prince Marina. 3 minutes walk to the huge new Odeon multiplex, with 10-pin bowling alley right next door to the Marina.
Burton on Trent: Moor at Snoball Marina visitor moorings- 10 minutes walk into town centre- Cineworld Multiplex
RIVER WEAVER
Northwich: Old fashioned two screen cinema, The Regal, by the river next door to the floatel in the town centre
Northwich: Old fashioned two screen cinema, The Regal, by the river next door to the floatel in the town centre
RIVER WEY
Basingstoke: 10 screen multiplex outside town centre
Guildford: Multiplex Odeon in town center near the station
From the links page there are a series of useful links to cinema sites.
For suggestions fro the next update please email me.