What is it?
Nestled round the back of Elephant & Castle in a former workhouse that was once home to a young Charlie Chaplin and his family, Lambeth’s Cinema Museum is an Aladdin’s cave of movie memorabilia, artefacts and film-making equipment.
Founded in 1984 by cinephiles and enthusiastic collectors Martin Humphries and Ronald Grant, its vast and idiosyncratic collections feature everything from art deco cinema seats to 1940s ushers’ uniforms. The museum faced potential closure in 2018 when developers purchased its historic building, with over 60,000 fans signing a petition to save it, and high profile industry names including Simon Callow, Ken Loach and Terry Gilliam swooping in to offer support. Having struck a deal to purchase the building from developers, the museum’s immediate future is secure, with fundraising efforts to raise the £1 million required for the sale ongoing.
Why go?
The museum opens by appointment only but it’s absolutely worth all the faff. There’s a gargantuan collection of posters, projectors, cinema carpets, fanzines and memorabilia, plus short film showings and more than 17 million feet of celluloid film to peruse. You can point to any exhibit in the building and Martin or Ronald will be on hand with their encyclopaedic knowledge to tell you the story behind it.
Don’t miss
The museum regularly hosts screenings of forgotten classics, live talks with movie-makers and various other kinds of gatherings for film buffs. Explore what it’s got coming up here.
When to visit
Open 11am-5pm Mon-Sat by appointment only. Tours begin at 11am or 2pm and booking is essential.
Ticket info
Guided tours at the Cinema Museum cost £10 per adult and £7 for children and concessions. They can only be booked by phone or email.
Time Out tip
Booked a tour of the Cinema Museum? Set aside more time than you think you need. Yes, the website tells you that sessions take around two hours, but if you catch the guides on a particularly good day, you may find youself exploring this delightful cornucopia for up to four hours.