Plaza Theatre

The Plaza Theatre in Ashurst is one of those proper old-fashioned cinemas that's become rarer by the year. Walking in feels like stepping back into the 1930s - the art deco frontage still commands attention on the high street, and inside the plush red seats and ornate ceiling remind you why people fell in love with going to the pictures in the first place.

It's a working cinema rather than a museum piece, so you'll catch current releases alongside occasional special screenings and live performances. The programming leans towards mainstream films, but there's clearly a commitment to keeping this place alive for the community. The sound and projection are perfectly decent - no gimmicks, just proper cinema.

This isn't a destination attraction in itself, but it's exactly the sort of thing that makes a cottage holiday actually feel like a break rather than just staying away from home. On a rainy evening, it beats streaming films in the holiday lodge. There's something about catching a film in a space this atmospheric that streaming can't touch.

If you're staying at Green Hill Farm Holiday Village six miles away, the theatre is a realistic evening trip - close enough to pop into town without it being a chore. Worth ringing ahead to check what's on and whether they're doing anything special, as the programming can vary. Pair it with a walk around Ashurst itself and a bite to eat - you've got a proper evening sorted.