The Cinema Museum — Attraction in London

Booked a Monday 11am tour and waited outside with a mixed crowd of seniors, younger couples, and families, all keen to get inside. The imposing former workhouse building looks a little dilapidated, but that only adds to its character. Booking is done via email or phone — quite old school, much like the website — but it suits the place perfectly.

When the doors opened, we were greeted by Martin Humphries, co-founder and director. The card machine was out of order, so payment was taken in a more traditional way. We headed upstairs to a large, low-lit room housing the souvenir shop, café, bar, and screening area. The space drew gasps as we walked in, filled with cinema seating, memorabilia, and a giant cut-out silhouette of Charlie Chaplin, who has historic ties to the building.

We were offered free tea, coffee, or soft drinks before settling into the cinema seats for a half-hour introduction from Martin, covering the museum’s background, the building’s history, and stories about the golden age of cinema. There’s a faint musty smell and plenty of dust, but it all adds to the nostalgic atmosphere.

After the talk, we were given half an hour to explore. At first, some thought there might be dedicated exhibition rooms, but after a few mistaken door openings into offices, we realised the displays were actually in the corridors and hallways. Memorabilia — from projectors and uniforms to posters and cinema furniture — sits alongside boxes, lifting trolleys, and odd bits left out. It’s a little chaotic and disorderly, but that’s part of the museum’s quirky, endearing charm.

Then you go back upstairs to see films. Tour takes two hours.

A must for anyone who loves cinema history and doesn’t mind a dose of old-fashioned, slightly ramshackle character with...

I found out about this Museum by pure chance, I was talking with one of my fellow hotel guests about the places we have visited in London and it was he who mentioned the Cinema Museum.

There is 'Bot All' information about this Museum from the usual sources, so it is a brilliant museum and they want to keep it a secret or its rubbish and not worthwhile visiting.

Well I can tell you that it is BRILLIANT and deserves more publicity then it currently gets. It is actually housed in what was the old Lambeth Workhouse where one of its more famous residents spent his early childhood, that person being one Charlie Chaplin ☺

Open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 6pm. This is a pre booked tour museum (no just turning up at the door😕). Adults £ 10.00 with Children and Concessions at £7.00.

This tour lasts around 2 hours and includes a 30 minute film show. I found the tour guide very knowledgeable and friendly. For me thus was a trip down memory lane and I really enjoyed myself.

There is full disabled access everywhere within the Museum including the shop and toilet facilities. There is no dedicated car park attached to the Museum, take the Tube or Bus is my advice.

Very good Museum showing what Cinemas used to be like, even the local...

Through the website you can book a visit. The tour cost £10 or £7 concessions which you’ll pay during the visit. Started with complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits. There followed a lecture on the history of cinema for 45 minutes or so. Followed by a chance to amble around the museum for 15 minutes (there’s a limited amount to actually see). Then there was a short montage of film snippets shown. It’s run by very friendly volunteers and the tour is fairly informal in an amateur way. I enjoyed the trip there. If returning again I would want to watch a film there and they show regular screenings, typically of pre 1970s films. The building and set up is done brilliantly and looks so atmospheric. A great place to watch a film. I was previously unaware that this was the former workhouse to which Charlie Chaplin was sent as a young child. So a great bit of history to...