When the Carlton Cinema on Essex Road opened in 1930 it was advertised as ‘North London’s most palatial cine-variety theatre’ with 2,500 seats and an in-house orchestra.
After the cinema closed in 1972 the building was converted into a bingo club which continued for almost 35 years until the last numbers were called in March 2007. Since 2015 it’s been home to Gracepoint church.
The unique, Egyptian-inspired building was designed by legendary cinema architect George Coles and much of the stunning original interior is still visible today.
On this special tour cinema historian Nigel Smith will take you back to the cinema’s glory days in the 1930s and 40s when going to the ‘flicks’ was a national pastime and Saturday morning clubs saw hundreds of kids flock to the pictures every weekend.
The tour will last approximately 90 minutes and you'll see inside the auditorium, lobby and former café area. £5 from each ticket sale will go towards the building restoration fund.
Please note: The building is occasionally booked out for entire days for private events. If this happens the tour may be cancelled at short notice and full refunds will be issued.
Review of this tour
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "What a privilege it was to enter such a historic and lavishly designed building, which is rarely open to the public. Nigel brought the building back to life, as it was in its hey day, by regaling us with evocative tales of its colourful past. I was entertained and informed in equal measure!"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Nigel brilliantly and entertainingly evoked the 1930s, whilst taking us through this magnificent building. Brimming with fascinating detail, we were also shown old photographs as well as old sound recordings. Highly recommended, and not just for those who are interested in cinema-going through the ages, but as a slice of historic London which is often overlooked."
About your guide
Nigel Smith is a lifelong movie nerd who specialises in walking tours that explore the history of cinemas and cinema-going in London. His website Memory Palaces tells the stories associated with dozens of cinemas across the capital, some still in use, others repurposed or gone completely.
In addition to leading walking tours Nigel co-runs Tufnell Park Film Club and is part of the team that produces Screenshot for BBC Radio 4.
