Regent Street Cinema

On 21 February 1896, a paying audience gathered inside the Royal Polytechnic Institution on Regent Street to watch the Lumiere Brothers' Cinematographe — the first public film screening in Britain. That auditorium is still showing films today, making Regent Street Cinema the oldest cinema in the country.

After a six-million-pound restoration by the University of Westminster, the 187-seat auditorium blends its original Victorian grandeur with 4K digital projection and 7.1 surround sound. The programme mixes new independent releases, classic revivals, live events and special seasons.

Area Fitzrovia

Price £

Duration 2–3 hours

Best Time Monday matinee for classic films

Highlights

Birthplace of British Cinema

The auditorium where the Lumiere Brothers demonstrated their Cinematographe to a paying British audience for the first time on 21 February 1896, launching the entire history of cinema in the United Kingdom.

Restored Victorian Auditorium

A six-million-pound restoration uncovered the original Art Deco features, elliptical coved ceiling and gold detailing. The 187 velvet-upholstered seats offer an intimate viewing experience unmatched by modern multiplexes.

1936 Compton Organ

A fully working John Compton cinema organ from 1936 sits within the auditorium. On the first Monday of each month, a live organ recital precedes the classic matinee screening — a tradition dating back decades.

Independent Film Programme

The weekly schedule balances new independent and arthouse releases with classic revivals, foreign language films and special seasons. Monday Classic Matinees and Chooseday Tuesday deals make quality cinema accessible to all.

The Venue

In 1848, a purpose-built theatre was added to the south side of the Royal Polytechnic Institution on Regent Street. Designed for optical exhibitions and scientific demonstrations, it hosted everything from magic lantern shows to live theatrical performances. On 21 February 1896, that same auditorium made history when the Lumiere Brothers' Cinematographe was shown to a paying public for the first time in Britain, launching an industry that would transform popular culture.

The building changed hands and purposes over the following century. Between 1980 and 2012, the auditorium was closed to the public entirely, serving as a lecture hall for the University of Westminster. In 2012, the university embarked on a six-million-pound restoration that uncovered and preserved the Art Deco features added in 1920, the elliptical coved ceiling, and the original 1936 John Compton organ. The cinema reopened in 2015 as a Grade II Listed working cinema.

What to Expect

Regent Street Cinema seats 187 in velvet-upholstered chairs arranged in a traditional raked auditorium. Gold coat hooks line the rows, and the restored ceiling arches overhead in period detail. Despite the heritage, the technology is thoroughly modern — a 4K digital projector and 7.1 surround sound system ensure picture and audio quality rival any screen in London.

The programme favours independent, arthouse and foreign language films alongside classic revivals and special seasons. Monday Classic Matinees at 1pm screen golden-age films with subsidised tickets for over-55s, and on the first Monday of each month a live organ recital on the restored Compton organ precedes the screening. Tuesday brings the Chooseday deal, letting audiences pick their own ticket price. The cinema also hosts Q&As, live events and private screenings in the bar and foyer spaces.

Booking and Nearby

Tickets are available through the official website or at the box office. Membership is free for students and under-25s, offering 25% off all tickets. Full membership provides a further £2 discount per ticket. The best value is Monday and Tuesday, when prices drop to as low as £6 per screening.

The cinema sits in the heart of the West End, four minutes on foot from Oxford Circus station. The surrounding streets offer dozens of dining options — Riding House Cafe and The Palomar are both within five minutes. After a screening, Carnaby Street and Liberty are a short stroll south, while the BBC Broadcasting House and Langham Hotel are just to the north on Portland Place.

Did You Know?

The Lumiere Brothers' first public film screening in Britain took place in this auditorium on 21 February 1896, making it the birthplace of British cinema
The building was designated Grade II Listed in March 2015, protecting its Victorian and Art Deco architectural features for future generations
Regent Street Cinema was also the first venue in the United Kingdom to screen an X-rated film, pushing boundaries from its earliest days
The original 1936 John Compton organ still works and is played before the classic matinee screening on the first Monday of every month

Pricing

Adult From £12
Student / Under 25 25% off with free membership
Chooseday Tuesday £6, £8 or £10
Monday Classic Matinee (55+) £6

Members save an additional £2 per ticket at all screenings — membership starts from free for students

Getting There

309 Regent Street, London W1B 2HW

Tube: Oxford Circus (4 min walk) — Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines. Exit and walk north along Regent Street.

Bus: Routes 88, 452 and N18 stop at Margaret Street, directly outside the cinema entrance

Walking: 10 min from Tottenham Court Road station or Bond Street station along Oxford Street and up Regent Street

Visitor Tips

Book Monday matinee for classic films

Every Monday at 1pm, the cinema screens a classic film with tickets at just £6 for over-55s. The first Monday of the month includes a live organ recital beforehand.

Choose your own price on Tuesdays

Chooseday Tuesday lets you pay £6, £8 or £10 for any new release screening. Arrive early as popular films sell out at these prices.

Join the free student membership

Anyone aged 16 to 25 or with valid student ID can join for free and receive 25% off all film tickets for themselves and up to two guests.

Grab a drink in the foyer bar

The spacious foyer bar serves wine, craft beer and snacks before and after screenings. It is a pleasant spot to wait rather than queuing outside on Regent Street.

Sit in the centre for best sound

The 7.1 surround sound system is calibrated for the centre rows. With only 187 seats, every position is good, but the middle is optimal.

Common Questions About Regent Street Cinema

Standard adult tickets start from around £12. Chooseday Tuesday offers tickets at £6, £8 or £10, and Monday matinee tickets are £6 for over-55s.

Allow two to three hours including arrival time and the film. Most screenings run between 90 minutes and two hours, plus time for a drink in the foyer bar.

Yes. The cinema offers step-free access and wheelchair spaces in the auditorium. Contact the cinema directly to arrange accessible seating when booking.

Children are welcome at age-rated screenings. The intimate 187-seat auditorium and comfortable seating suit older children, though very young ones may find it loud.

The foyer bar serves wine, beer, soft drinks and light snacks. You can take drinks into the auditorium. Dozens of restaurants are within a five-minute walk on surrounding streets.

Oxford Circus is a four-minute walk south on Regent Street. It is served by the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines, offering connections across all of London.

You may photograph the foyer and auditorium before the screening begins. Photography and phone use during the film is not permitted out of courtesy to other guests.

The programme mixes new independent and arthouse releases with classic revivals, foreign language films and special seasons. It is not a mainstream multiplex.

James Whitfield

EDITORIAL REVIEW

London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism

Last reviewed: March 9, 2026

Visit

309 Regent Street, London W1B 2HW
+44 20 7911 5050
Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00
Fri 12:00–23:00
Sat 11:00–23:00
Sun 11:00–21:00
www.regentstreetcinema.com

Discover More

Discover more attractions and things to do in London.

Browse All Attractions