The 5 best cinemas in York

Hands down the coolest time and place to see films in York is here – an international short film festival hosted by Aesthetica Magazine every November since 2011. For one week only, screens are set up all over the city, including inside the Yorkshire Museum, York Theatre Royal and the National Centre for Early Music. Book early.

With its three-metre-wide screen and close-up seating, this 24-capacity boutique venue certainly makes for an intimate night out. Themed nights including singalongs to Mamma Mia and Grease often take place here, and drinks from the bar downstairs make the experience even sweeter. Also available for private events.

Set in the grounds of a grade II-listed hotel, the outdoor cinema at Principal York may be the highlight of the summer calendar. Tickets include garden tea or cocktails, or even a two-course dinner from the Refectory restaurant with bottles of house wine. The hotel is adjacent to the train station, so very accessible if you’re only in town for the day.

Inside the former Yorkshire Herald press building in the city centre, you’ll find the City Screen Picturehouse, whose eclectic programme includes regular Q&As and throwback ‘Vintage Sundays’. The in-house bar boasts incredible views over the River Ouse (and a fine selection of local ales).

A five-minute walk from York train station and 10 minutes from the city centre, Everyman York is the perfect getaway if you’ve had enough of sightseeing or have some time to kill before you catch a train. The cinema’s spacious lounge has a Great Gatsby-like feel, made extra-comfy by a wide range of pillowy seating options.