On Friday, we ventured through a magical wardrobe of fur coats, down a secret tunnel of trees into a beautiful, enchanted woodland, and into the Backyard Cinema.
This is our second trip to the Backyard Cinema and the Winter Night Garden was truly magical. Our choice of movie was Santa Claus the Movie, a classic from my childhood.
The Backyard Cinema is currently set in the middle of Mercato Metropolitano, an Italian food market on Newington Causeway, just a short walk from Elephant and Castle or Borough station in London. It's a cinema experience like no other. They regularly change the theme of the cinema, on our last trip there - it was a ruined temple called The Lost World.
Instead of your usual flap-down seats - you sit on giant beanbags with blankets to snuggle under. There is a bar at the back selling soft drinks, popcorn, sweets and alcohol. The Winter Night Garden was festively decorated with twinkly lights and during the film a snow machine sprayed the front row.
I tried out a gingerbreadtini - look how cute the bottle is!
The cinema is cosy and very laid back, toilets are just outside, within the indoor market, so you can come and go as you please. My kids were quite fidgety during the film, maybe they weren't quite as thrilled with the 80s classic as I was? But overall they really enjoyed being in the cinema - it is such a novelty with the huge beanbags.
After the film we took a little walk through the market and warmed up by one of the fires outdoors.
Yet again, it was a brilliant experience and a fabulous treat for all of us. Films are showing in the Winter Night Garden until Sunday, January 8, 2017. So check here for details.
Lee chose to drive as the trains weren't running well. Be warned though, you will enter the congestion charge zone and also pay to park in a residential street. Taking the train is the best option as it's a short walk from London Bridge, Borough or Elephant and Castle.
We can't wait to find out what Backyard Cinema has in store for their next venture.