In the grand pantheon of great London cinemas, Olympic Studios is right up there on the winners podium. It might even win gold, it’s honestly that good.
So, what’s the big deal?
Well, you’ll find it in Barnes. Which, if you don’t live in Barnes, can be quite a trek. But you can absolutely make a day out of it thanks to the Wetlands Centre and the various restaurants (the Waterman’s Arms is lovely). And frankly, you could probably spend the entire day inside the cinema too, given everything it has going on.
The space itself has a pretty storied history, opening up over a century ago back in 1906 and wearing many hats in the intervening decades—from being a theatre to a TV studio, before ultimately becoming one of London’s most iconic recording studios in the 1960s and ’70s. The list of artists who recorded here reads like a rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Bowie, you name it. Hell, even the Spice Girls laid down a few tracks here.
Well, now it’s a cinema again, very much in the modern mould of a luxury experience rather than just a big screen. The venue features two intimate screens with luxurious, reclining seats, and the sound quality is nothing short of impeccable, as a justifiable nod to its former life.
But the experience doesn’t end when the credits roll. The on-site restaurant and café are worth the visit regardless of your plans. It’s open from breakfast to dinner, serving up a globe-spanning array of dishes. You can even get a cinema express menu if you’re in a rush, or a Sunday roast & a movie package (which is reasonable at £37).They also have a terrace, where guests are able to dine al fresco under huge pink blossom trees. And as a final cherry on the cinematic cake, there’s also a members club, featuring access to private areas, members screenings, special events, and whatnot.
It’s the reel deal.
NOTE: Olympic Studios is open now, seven days a week. You can find out more and get bookings & tickets at the Olympic Studios website.
Olympic Studios | 117-123 Church Road, Barnes, SW13 9HL
Want dinner beforehand? You could do worse than Church Road…