Hyde Park Picture House

Continuously showing movies since it opened on 2nd November 1914 with Jim Blackwell in “The Only Son”. The 586-seat Hyde Park Picture House now concentrates on art-house films for the large student population in the northwest Leeds suburb of Headingley.

It has a large gay and lesbian following which is central to the annual Leeds Film Festival.

The cinema still retains its original secondary gas lights and 35mm projectors. It was closed on 17th March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Restoration and refurbishment began in Spring 2021, funded by the National Lottery and Leeds City Council. A 52-seat basement cinema and enlargement of the foyer are in the plans. Film presentations have gone ‘on the road’ at various venues around the city, including the famous City Varieties Theatre.

The Hyde Park Picture House is a member of the Europa Cinema group of art house cinemas.

from 2019 it underwent a £2.3 Million refurbishment courtesy of the National Lottery. A new 50-seat cinema was created in the basement. It reopened on 30th June 2023. The original gaslights have been restored in the auditorium and will be lit at every performance.

The Hyde Park Picture House is a Grade II Listed building.

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

monika on June 14, 2009 at 2:34 pm

The Hyde Park Picture House is located on the corner of Brudenell Road and Queens Road in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Here is a Google Maps link using the longitude/latitude of the location: View link

Playhousegoer on December 30, 2009 at 8:36 pm

Hyde Park also runs the Leeds International Film Festival http://www.leedsfilm.com/ “Night of the Dead” each year: View link

An all-nighter of pure horror film from around the world…

View link

Ian on June 10, 2010 at 2:53 am

More photos taken on a Cinema Theatre Association visit to the Hyde Park on 7th June 2010 here:–

Exterior:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687653346/

Auditorium:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687019053/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687653162/

Details in the cinema:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687018903/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687652604/

Playhousegoer on June 10, 2010 at 5:02 pm

Lovely pics' Ian. We took a ride to Leeds one day last year and made a detour to see this classy lady and we were given a personal tour of the place and WOW!

We are looking forward to seeing a film at this picture house, again, great photo’s!!!

Playhousegoer on October 19, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Hyde Park Picture House play’s a big part in the Leeds International Film Festival (www.leedsfilm.com) in-which it host’s, too, the “Night Of The Dead”; a horror film marathon of film’s from around the world throughout the night.

BenSmith on September 27, 2016 at 12:47 pm

The original edwardian proscenium arch and some ornate plasterwork on the walls still exists in relatively good condition behind the current screen.

PhilipWW on July 24, 2018 at 4:23 am

The Guardian reports that planning permission has now been granted for refurbishment of the cinema plus the addition of an additional screen in the basement.

The link can be found via the Cinema Theatre Association Facebook page.

rivest266 on October 24, 2021 at 1:12 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

popcorn_pete on February 6, 2022 at 9:44 am

Workmen have uncovered a small slice of social history during restoration work on the cinema. Cigarette packs and film boxes from the 1930 and 40s have been found alongside old coins and ‘reserved’ signs. The cinema is being restored after securing a £2.3m lottery grant. More here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-59161953

projectorsandpopcorn on August 2, 2023 at 4:28 am

Hyde Park Picture House re-opened on 30th June 2023.

Here is some news coverage of the re-opening.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-66030953

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/hyde-park-picture-house-first-look-inside-historic-leeds-cinema-reopening-with-new-50-seat-screen-4198254

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/naNULteJjW4