Ritz Cinema

The Ritz Cinema in Thirsk is one of those proper old-school picture houses that somehow survived when so many didn't. Walking in feels like stepping back to 1937, when the place first opened - the art deco lines are still there, the bones are right, and there's genuine character in the worn velvet seats and the way the light hits the screen.

It's a working cinema, not a museum, so you come here to actually watch films on the big screen the way they were meant to be seen. The auditorium is intimate rather than cavernous, which means no horrible distance between you and what's happening on screen. The programme leans towards mainstream releases, so you'll catch current blockbusters and the odd classics season if you time it right.

Families with kids who appreciate something different from the multiplex will find it worth seeking out. Adults who care about cinema history and atmosphere will absolutely get it. If you're just after the newest Marvel film, the experience might feel a bit quaint for some.

Check their website or ring ahead for times and prices before you visit - opening hours aren't standard year-round. Thirsk itself is a lovely market town with decent pubs and cafes, so you can make an afternoon of it. If you're staying at Hillside Caravan Park just outside town, the Ritz is an easy drive. Even from Woodland Lakes Lodges it's only a short trip. A couple of hours all in, including the film itself.