Woodhall Spa’s Kinema in the Woods blends modern tech with a Golden Age moviegoing experience

History and technology combine at the Kinema in the Woods - one of the few cinemas which still entertains visitors with an organ - making for an experience like no other, says its owner Philip Jones.

Set in the picturesque town of Woodhall Spa, the venue first began showing films back in 1922. Flash forward 100 years and its main auditorium remains unchanged since it first began wowing audiences with movies made during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The 169-seater screen one still has traditional screen curtains, red velvet seats and a Compton organ, which is played alongside the final film every Saturday night, to the delight of those watching.

“The Kinema is a very special place,” said Mr Jones, who first began working there as a projectionist in 2004, before becoming assistant manager and later its owner. “It’s old-fashioned, but modern at the same time – there’s all the latest tech behind the scenes such as 4k laser projection and Dolby 7.1 sound.

“The building harks back to the golden age of cinema with its traditional screen curtains, red velvet seats and provides an old-fashioned cinema experience.

“It is authentic nostalgia for those who can still remember how a visit to the cinema was years ago and a new experience for people who have never seen anything like it before.”

The building, which celebrated its centenary last year, was originally a sports and entertainment pavilion for the Victoria Hotel, which was destroyed by fire on Easter Sunday, in 1920.

The pavilion escaped unscathed and was bought by owners of the nearby Petwood Hotel, Sir Archibald and Lady Wiegall, who transformed it into a cinema. They enlisted the help of First World War Army captain Carleton Cole Allport to run it on their behalf, and he remained in post for around 50 years. The first film screened at the Kinema on September 11, 1922 was supposed to be The Lion Eaters, but when it failed to arrive a Charlie Chaplin one was shown instead.

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In 1973 the Kinema was bought by James Green, who made improvements to the seating, lighting and projection. In 1987 a Compton Kinestra organ – featuring an ornate lacquered red and gold console with an 18th Century oriental design - was installed in screen one.

“It’s not an original to the Kinema, it was originally installed in a cinema in Charring Cross Road, in London, in 1928 and then brought here to be played during the intervals and silent films,’ explained Mr Jones. “There are still other cinemas with organs, but I believe ours is probably used the most regularly – it’s played every Saturday night and on other occasions.

“Our organist Alan Underwood began playing here in the 1980s, he was only 13 years old. His grandad brought him along for lessons and within six months he had been given permission by his school to come and play every Wednesday afternoon!”

The Kinema had one screen, until a second was added in 1994, with two more following in 2019 and 2021.

“Woodhall Spa welcomes a lot of tourists and holidaymakers, people who come from further afield, or even Lincolnshire residents who have never been before, and none of them have ever seen anything like the Kinema before,” said Mr Jones. “It really is an amazing, unique place.”

The Kinema in the Woods is open every day except Christmas Day and as well as showing the latest releases it also puts on a variety of classic and themed films to coincide with events such as Halloween and Christmas.

*Booking is advised. For more information visit thekinemainthewoods.co.uk

Have you visited the Kinema? Share your experiences in the comments below.