Sitting on comfortable seats in a temperature-controlled cinema is, of course, a great way to enjoy a movie, so long as some oaf isn't kicking the back of your seat every 20 seconds or telling his friend what's about to happen because he knows the film off-by-heart having watched it 17 times already.
In recent years, event organisers across the capital have decided that the British summer isn't always a total washout, and so have put on movie screenings in a different kind of environment to the usual – ie. outdoors. It's a great way to enjoy the balmy summer evenings, as long as they
are balmy.
Among all the outdoor cinema events taking place in London over the next few months,
Syon House can arguably count itself as having the most idyllic setting for such an occasion. The cinematic event - Cinema Under the Stars - will be situated among 400 acres of gorgeous parkland, and kicks off on Thursday 18th August.
Running for four days, Syon House will be showing one movie each evening. Here's the line-up:
- Thursday 18th August:
Pulp Fiction
- Friday 19th August:
Shawshank Redemption
- Saturday 20th August:
The King's Speech
- Sunday 21st August:
It's Complicated The gardens will open at 7.30pm, and you're more than welcome to have a picnic in the grounds before the film begins at around 9pm.
Tickets for each evening cost £10 for adults and £5 for children (5yrs to 14yrs).
If you've never watched a movie outside, give it a try. It's a totally different kind of atmosphere to the regular indoor experience, and just so long as those rain clouds stay firmly out of the way, you should have a memorable evening out.
You could even arrive early and spend some time exploring the state and private apartments of Syon House (belonging to the Duke of Northumberland), as well as the gardens that surround it, before settling down for a picnic in the grounds of the house.
For more information on the event, call 020 8560 0882.
