Cinemas and Theatres on or near Exmoor

For Arts lovers, there are good theatres nearby at Taunton, Exeter and Barnstaple, and slightly further afield at Plymouth and Bristol.

Concerts and shows are held in every season all across the region; there are cinemas at Barnstaple and Lynton, and theatres at Barnstaple, llfracombe and Minehead and open-air performance abound.

And of course you're liable to come across the West Somerset morris dancers outside a country pub, or buskers on the pavement, or a juggler on the seafront, just about anywhere you go...

• THE QUEENS THEATRE, Barnstaple
• CENTRAL CINEMA, Barnstaple
• LYNTON CINEMA, Lynton
• REGAL THEATRE, Minehead
• THE LANDMARK THEATRE, Ilfracombe
• THE ODEON CINEMA, Taunton
• TIVOLI CINEMA, Tiverton
• Astor Cinema Barnstaple
• Beaford Centre, Winkleigh
• Bideford College Cinema
• Pendle Stairway Cinema, Ilfracombe
• Plough Arts Centre, Torrington
• ABC Cinemas, Minehead

There has been cinematograph entertainment in Lynton and Lynmouth since the time of the great war. The Picturedrome opened in 1916, this not being suitable for sound films, was superceded by the BB Cinema in 1930. This closed in 1961 owing to the death of the owner and the films transferred for the next 38 years on a part-time basis to the Lynton Town Hall; after the retirement of the operator it was decided to return a full-time cinema back to Lynton when the grade II listed former Methodist Chapel became available.

Lynton Cinema

An intimate modern picture palace was created in this building, opening in the spring of 2001, seating only 68 persons, comfortable seats with plenty of leg room has been provided, Dolby SR sound, full air conditioning in the summer months and full central heating in the winter, running as near release films as possible and special presentations throughout the year. Full disabled access and toilet is provided. Lynton with its population of 2,000 people is as far as we know, the smallest town in the country to have a full time cinema.

In 1915 the Queen's Hall in mInehead was built and this provided high standards of entertainment from repertory companies, some travelling from London. The first cinema in Minehead was a wooden building, but this was replaced with the superior Cozy Cinema in Bancks Street. The Regal Cinema, Minehead, was built in 1934.

Cinemas/Theatres

• Astor Cinema,
• Pendle Stairway Gnema,
• Barnstaple
• llfracombe
• Beaford Centre,
• Plough Arts Centre,
• Winkleigh Torrington
• Bideford College Cinema,
• Queens Theatre,
• Bideford Barnstaple
• Landmark Theatre,
• A.B.C Gnemas,
• llfracombe Minehead Lynton
• Gnema, Lynton

See also:

• South West Film Commission
• www.exeterphoenix.org.uk
• www.uk-devonexplore.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=748

Contributed by: John Evans