I did something quite unique recently; I went to the cinema. Now, I know that you’re probably thinking, how is that in any way unique? People do that every day. Well, allow me to clarify. This wasn’t your regular cinema. This was a cinema in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the Lincolnshire countryside, a cinema in the woods, or The Kinema in the Woods as it is so authentically named with kinema being the original spelling of the word.
Lincolnshire’s kinema in the woods is a fabulous, nostalgic experience, having been a fully functioning cinema since 1922. It is the only cinema of its kind left in England that uses rear projection, meaning that the film is projected from directly behind the screen rather than from the back of the room. It makes you feel like you’ve been transported to days gone by knowing that they do things in the traditional way.
You may find your mind wandering as you imagine all the early 20th century locals turning up to see the latest Charlie Chaplin film and having a whale of a time. I love imagining the decades of box office hits being shown at the kinema; the rise of Disney, the most adored musicals and the fierceness of De Niro in the 70’s. Talkies hadn’t even been launched in the UK at the time the kinema opened it’s doors, so all the films shown in those first few years would have been silent.
Nearly 100 years worth of Hollywood history, all encapsulated in this hidden place.
It is plain to see in the foyer area how celebrated the film industry is with endless pictures of long passed glamorous Hollywood stars and plenty of Charlie Chaplin merchandise, reminding us just how influential those early films were to the industry today. They remain to be some of the best made films of all time and have a massive influence on modern day cinema. I really need to get watching them as admittedly I haven’t seen any Chaplin at the time of writing this but the kinema has really inspired me to do so; feel free to recommend any to me in the comments at the bottom!
The kinema is situated in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, a lovely little village pretty much in the middle of nowhere! It does make the cinema slightly challenging to get to, and it would definitely be best to drive there but there is a bus stop a short walk away if needed. If using public transport it is best to get the train to Metheringham and then the bus from there to Woodhall Spa. It is worth exploring Woodhall spa whilst you’re there too, it has a fabulous community vibe and boasts quaint gift shops and tea rooms.
There is an interesting history behind this building too. It began its existence as a Sports and Entertainment Pavilion dating back to the late 19th Century and was actually the supplementary building of a more authoritative building, The Victoria Hotel. However, this hotel burnt down on Easter Sunday 1920, severing all relations between the two buildings and the pavilion building was bought by a couple who decided to transform it into a cinema and the rest, as they say, is history!
The kinema’s doors first opened on Monday 11th September 1922 at 7pm with its debut film The Lion Eaters, but due to the film not arriving in time, a Charlie Chaplin film was shown instead, which makes the Chaplin theme of the foyer area even more poignant.
The kinema has had only two owners in it’s 95 year history which I find very telling of how special this place is; it seems that people become very attached to it which really helps with the ambience from a visitor’s perspective. This place feels loved and cared for and in turn that’s how you feel when you visit.
Also, there is a life size Dalek – that is always a welcome addition to any place. The kinema has a resident organist who plays in Screen One after the last film showing every Saturday night. I really must get myself there to see this in action as it sounds like it would be very entertaining. The organ is there on the stage just below the curtains and it is a beautiful instrument just crying out to be played.
So, you’re probably wondering what I went to see at this point. Well, I went with my two friends from Lincoln, John (who’s surname is Lincoln – for real) and Nicola who are more victims of mine that I force to go on trips and adventures with me! We saw Kong: Skull Island. It was a pretty light Saturday afternoon watch starring a very cute, giant gorilla…
We bought some snacks which we were very surprised to find were actually reasonably priced instead of the triple prices the chain cinemas like to impose on to all their refreshments. Crisps and chocolate bars cost what whey would in a Newsagents, around 60 pence and there was a hot drinks counter serving teas, coffees and hot chocolates for no more than a couple of pounds. It made such a nice change to go somewhere where you didn’t have to suffer feelings of intense guilt and confusion when reaching into your wallet to find a fiver just to pay for a sorry looking bit of pick ‘n’ mix. 
The kinema has kept things lovely and traditional with a 15 minute interval in the middle of every showing giving you chance to stretch your legs, pop to the loo, buy refreshments and check out the merchandise on offer. This is a lost tradition in the age of the chain cinema where you are forced to miss a chunk of the film (normally the pivotal scene) or otherwise sit there with a desperate bladder, rumbling tummy or raging thirst.
The magic of the traditional cinema can still be found here and it harks back to a time when trips to the cinema were the latest craze; what the kids would do on a Saturday night, going to see the latest picture and having a blast. The nostalgia of such a time can be experienced and celebrated at the kinema.
The kinema has a lovely sense of community with very happy staff members working there. I got talking with the very friendly lady on the refreshments counter who was beaming with pride when I asked her about her job there. She said she absolutely loved it and was so happy to have the opportunity to work in such a lovely place. She told me a little bit about the history of the kinema and was wearing a really cool top with cats on so, being a cat lover myself, I had to seal the deal with a photograph of her and she was more than happy to oblige.
I thoroughly recommend visiting the kinema in the woods, it is great for all kinds of different people. Whether you enjoy going to the cinema every now and again for a change or you are wanting to do something a little bit special, this is definitely the place to come. It is also a must visit for any media or film buffs – anyone doing a degree in film studies or media should definitely pay this place a visit to soak up the unique atmosphere of the kinema, think back on the entire history of the film industry and revel in the fact that so many classics have been shown here spanning nearly a century, it just makes you feel fuzzy thinking about it.
Does The Kinema in the Woods look like your kind of place? Let me know in the comments below!
