Gulbenkian Cinema

The Gulbenkian Cinema sits within the University of Kent campus on the outskirts of Canterbury, and it's absolutely worth seeking out if you're in the area. This isn't your multiplex showing the latest Marvel film - it's a proper art house venue that programmes everything from world cinema and documentaries to classic reruns and experimental work. The space itself is intimate and unpretentious, the kind of place where you'll overhear actual conversations about film rather than rustling crisp packets.

The programming changes constantly, so there's no such thing as a typical visit. One week you might catch a restored 1970s thriller, the next a contemporary Iranian drama or a silent film with live accompaniment. Students flood in between lectures, which gives the whole place an energetic, slightly chaotic feel - it's a genuine community cinema rather than a corporate one.

For film enthusiasts camping or glamping around Canterbury - and there are plenty of decent sites within a few miles, like Canterbury Camping and Caravanning Club Campsite or Brook Farm Glamping - this is a proper evening out. Check their website before you arrive since hours and programmes vary wildly. Admission isn't usually steep, and you'll get a real sense of how locals actually spend their time rather than trailing round yet another cathedral visitor attraction.

Not for everyone, obviously. If you need blockbusters and reclining seats, look elsewhere. But if you're after something with genuine character, this delivers.