Hyde park picture house
Comfort
Entertainment
Activity
  • Lamppost
  • Ticket booth
  • Floorboards
  • Double doors
  • Fire hydrant
  • Painting
  • Gas lights
  • Upstairs door
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With its timeless charm and long history, Hyde Park Picture House stands as a cherished cultural cornerstone in the centre of Leeds' Hyde Park neighbourhood. The architectural marvel and grade II listed building welcomes all through its doors from local residents to students. If you haven’t visited since their reopening in 2023, make a visit and experience their beautiful screenings from plush red velvet seats.

Since its inception, Hyde Park Picture House has remained steadfast in its mission to offer a diverse range of cinematic experiences, catering to cinephiles of all tastes and preferences. From thought-provoking arthouse films to blockbuster Hollywood releases, the theatre’s assorted program ensures there's something for everyone to enjoy.

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The outside of Cottage road cinema. It shows a building made of yellow bricks with two grand double doors side by side and two windows on either side of the door.

Cottage Road Cinema

Image credit: Chemical Engineer CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The interior of an old church with yellow, white, and orange lanterns. There are colourful streamers coming from the top.

Left Bank

Image credit: Beth Moxon via Google Photos

HPPH’s iconic lamppost is a grade II listed item.

The ornate terracotta painted iron lamppost that sits outside the cinema acquired a grade II listing in 1996, the same day HPPH received the same status by the National Heritage List of buildings and structures that are of ‘special architectural or historic interest’. After all, HPPH wouldn’t be itself without its lamppost.

The lamp was made by MacFarlane & Co in Glasgow. Although its origin date is unknown, it was thought to have been created after 1890. This coincided perfectly with Glasgow’s architectural ironwork boom from the 1890s onwards where flamboyant and ornamented ironwork was popularised.

a close up shot of the top of hyde park picture house's lamp post, set against a white background
a super close up shot of the bottom detailing of Hyde park picture house's lamppost
a shot of the middle portion of they hyde park picture house's lamppost, you can see the blurred outline of the cinema in the background
Credit: Ollie Jenkins via Hyde Park Picture House

Hyde Park Picture House are the only cinema in the UK that still uses gas lights.

With the electric light bulb putting gas lights out of business, HPPH is thought to not only be the last surviving gas-lit cinema in the UK but the whole world. In the late 19th century, gas lighting was seen all throughout theatres, auditoriums, and other performance spaces; usually characterised by traditional metal-lined glass boxes with space for lighting in the middle.

In a Guardian article, it's explained how the gas lamps were originally installed for the purpose of women's safety. With HPPH's opening a year prior to the start of WW1, HPPH installed gas lamps to ward off groping men who might attack women in the darkness of the cinema.

A close up of an old red gaslight. It is a translucent bell shape and disperses red light.
Credit: Ollie Jenkins via Hyde Park Picture House
An image focusing on the ceiling gas lamp on the upper floor of the main cinema room. It shows a blurred open door in the foreground and a row of 3 gas lamps going further away from the camera
Credit: Ollie Jenkins via Hyde Park Picture House

Hyde Park Picture House was built by the same company who built Brudenell Social Club.

To find out more about HPPH's private club origins, click the double doors in the 3D model.

Thomas Winn & Sons were the architects who also constructed the popular Brudenell Social Club, the live music venue 5 minutes down the road from HPPH. Many of Thomas Winn's features are still standing after lots of preservation over the past 110 years.

  1. Old brass fire hydrant
  2. Terracotta lettering
  3. Stained glass window
  4. Grand red staircase
  5. Tiled hall floor
  6. Iconic ticket booth
  7. White columns
Old Brass Fire Hydrant

The no longer functional fire hydrant stands strong on the left as you enter the building as a reminder of HPPH's rich history.

An extreme close up shot of the old brass fire hydrant's shimmering surface. It shows the screws and details of the hydrant over a red background.
An image of the full old brass fire hydrant. The base of the hydrant is HPPH red while the spout is a golden brass colour. It stands against a red wall with white trim.
Terracotta Lettering

The dark red lettering adorning the building can be found on the outside of the main entrance.

A close up of the outside of Hyde Park Picture Houses red coloured lettering that sits above the entrance.
Stained Glass Window

The beautiful stained glass window spreads across the wall behind the grand staircase making for a gorgeous sight as you ascned the stairs into the upper auditorium of their primary screen. On particularly sunny days, watch how colourful light streaks onto the plush red fabric lining the stairs.

A close up of the stained glass window taken from a 45 right angle. The stained glass is lined with an alternating dark/light green border. Moving further inwards, it shows repeated lemon shapes that ascend down the window, halved with a yellow and purple colour. Further inwards shows intricate golden lines to make up the middle section
Grand Red Staircase

Despite fitting into a relatively small space, the grand staircase graciously wraps around the room to allow two entraces into the upper auditorium. Distinctly marked by it's HPPH red-coloured runner and golden stair rods, it makes for an elegant ascention into film heaven.

A wide angle of the grand staircase with dark brown wood railings. Behind the white staircase lined with plush red fabric is the stained glass.
Tiled Hall Floor

Sat next to the ticket booth, the grey coloured tiles are joined by beautiful terracotta, wallflower yellow, denim blue, and forest green tiles assembled in curved shapes.

A downward shot to see the tiled floor just outside the ticket booth area. The base colour are different variations of grey tiles while a large detail runs horizontally across the floor. The detail involves terracotta, wallflower yellow, denim blue, and forest green tiles assembled in curving shapes.
Iconic Ticket Booth

While no longer functioning, you can always find the latest edition of HPPH's film schedule sat right outside the booth.

A portrait image of the traditional cinema ticket booth. The white box is decorated with dark red lines and diamond shapes. Sitting in front of the ticket booth is a copy of the monthly film schedule. The cover depicts actor Timothee Chalamet in Dune Part Two.
White Columns

The stoic white columns that stand outside of the cinema's building flaunt the ionic roman-style of columns. With 5 classical architectural columns, HPPH fall into the ionic cateogory which typically depict more traditionally 'feminine' proportions such as outwardly ascending body also known as flutes.

Strong white columns are the primary focus of this image. The columns sit outside Hyde Park Picture House and have roman looking decorations at the top. Above the columns sits the word House in red lettering.

Hyde Park Picture House's renovation took just about 3 years between 2020 and 2023!

The HPPH renewal was one long process from their first funding approval in 2017 to the full renovation closure in 2002 and finally, their reopening on the 30th of June 2023. The picture house project was all about preserving cultural heritage through the restoration of original features which stand pristine around the cinema. While they couldn't have any beloved customers visit during the renovation, they found lots of historic 'trash' under the floorboards showing a small glimpse into their past.

Fun fact: Asteroid City by Wes Anderson was their opening film!

During the renovation
A wide angle shot from the upper auditorium during the rneovation. It shows the far wall where a big screen would be completely empty with the walls ripped out.
Credit: Ollie Jenkins via Hyde Park Picture House
It shows the dusty construction floor being peeled back to reveal hidden tiled floors.
Credit: Ollie Jenkins via Hyde Park Picture House
After the renovation
A red bricked wall above where a fireplace would go. At the top of the brick wall shelf, there is a yellow sign that says today. Beneath there is a white pencil pot and lots of flyers.
It shows Hyde Park Picture Houses's snack bar and ticket shop. In the foreground there is a till and in the background, cans of drinks, empty popcorn boxes, and a coffee machine line a dark green wall.
It depicts the double door entrance to the cinema lined with red paint. On the right side of the image is the white grand staircase that has red carpet lining.

Historic trash from the 20th century emerges during the renovation.

During their renovation, HPPH found historical ‘trash’ hidden under their floorboards. These time capsule treasures bring us back into the 20th century, from an old 1952 January screening programme to old cigarette boxes!

Whether it be 2024 or 1924, we're pretty similar to the cinema-goers 100 years ago with lots of snack pots found.

An Old Programme Dated Back to January 1952
A birdeye shot looking down at the programme against a white background. The programme says Hyde Park Picture House with an illustration of the main foyer. It has green detailing decorating the page and states January.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
An open double page spread of an old programme. It contains 5 adverts advertising various goods and services such as alterations, upholstering, and movers.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
Cigarette Packet Made by Navy Cut Tobacco, manufactured in Nottingham.
A downward shot of the cigarette packet against a white background. The cigarettes depict the sea in the background with a circle that states the brand. In the middle of this circle is a ginger-haired sailor with a beard and a hat.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
A special edition Queen Elizabeth II coronation ice cream cup.
The image shows an ice cream cup with 3 separate rows descending down the cup. The first row shows a pattern of horiztonal beefeaters marching. The second row shows horse and carriages and the last shows the Queen's guards marching.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
Hyde Park Picture House's ticket stubs.
The image is an extreme close up of the ticket stubs. They are organised row by row and feature a variety of bright colours including purple, yellow, red, and pink. They read Thank You! Come again.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House

Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst's bodyguard delivered talks on Hyde Park Picture House's cinema stage.

In March 1939, HPPH alongside many other cinemas was used as a stage for National Service recruitment with the likes of Suffragette Leonora Cohen delivering talks.

A Leeds native, Leonora Cohen was an essential figure in the Suffragette movement. She was not only Emmeline Pankhurst’s bodyguard but also one of the first female magistrates. She was nicknamed 'Tower Suffragette' after smashing a Tower of London glass display case as an act of feminist protest. A truly impressive woman, you can read more about her below.

A portrait image of Leonora Cohen. She is facing towards the right side of the photo with a neutral expression. Her hair is braided around her head and she wears a lace decorated top or dress.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

A real-life elephant stands outside of Hyde Park Picture House in 1959.

In efforts to encourage individuals to use cinemas after the rise of the TV, HPPH boasted an elephant on its front doorstep in 1959 to promote The Big Hunt. While probably not the most ethical publicity stunt, it sure did interest a curious crowd and stands as one of the more peculiar sights HPPH has seen!

The image shows a crowd of people around an elephant. It is taken in front of hyde park picture house's entrance. At the back of the crowd, there seem to be lots of mothers holding babies with prams.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
The image is taken from the same angle as the previous elephant photo to show a comparison of the two. It is in daylight and shows the exterior of Hyde Park Picture House. The iconic redd lamppost is on the left side of the image.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
The image shows the elephant as the centre of the photo. The elephant is wearing a large piece of fabric draped over its back, the fabric advertises The Big Hunt. There are two families standing in front of the elephant smiling while a large crowd of children are behind the elephant.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
Depicts an elephant's head coming from the right of the page. Rows and rows of children are looking at the elephant with one feeding it.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House

Hyde Park Picture House officially opened as a cinema in 1914.

HPPH didn't originally start out as a cinema; in 1899 Harry Child (a wealthy man who’s family were well known in the pub and hotel sector) purchased the land Hyde Park Picture House’s land with desires of creating a pub. While the pub idea was opposed by locals, a private club that sold alcohol was later opened instead in 1908.

Veering into a different sector, Child closed his private club in 1913 and opted for a cinema instead. Following suit from the recently opened Cottage Road Cinema in Headingly, Child turned it into the Hyde Park Picture House we know today with the help of the architect Thomas Winn.

Fun fact: Thomas Winn and Harry Child's father previously constructed an arch made from 1500 loaves of bread in 1894 - 14 years prior to when HPPH first opened as a prviate club.

The Auditorium Seating and Circle circa 1960 and in 2023
A black and white photo of HPPH's main screen. It shows both floors with the upper circle and lower circle. Empty seats sit row by row in the bottom section.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
Taken from an extremely similar angle to the above image, it shows the cinema seats now in colour with high arch ceilings and plush red seats.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
The Auditorium Screen circa 1960 and in 2023
It shows the screen curtain in black and white. Long fabric covers the screen while not in use.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
Showing the same subject as the image above but in colour, this image shows the red curtains once again covering the screen. Taken from the bottom floor, there are lots of seats in the foreground with a man walking to the right of the image.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
The exterior of HPPH in 1972 and in 2024
A black and white image of HPPH's exterior. The entrance is shut off by gates and a car is driving in front.
Credit: Hyde Park Picture House
At a similar angle to the above image but in colour, this image shows the new HPPH exterior in 2024 with the new extension on the right of the building.