Showcase Cinema de Lux

You're after a proper night out in Southampton without the faff of driving into the West End. Showcase Cinema de Lux delivers exactly that - a modern multiplex with enough screens to show everything from the latest blockbuster to indie releases, and the seats are genuinely comfortable, which matters when you're two hours into a film.

The venue itself is straightforward: pick your film, grab popcorn at eye-watering prices (cinema standard), settle in. It's the sort of place families with teenagers will actually want to go, though younger kids might struggle with anything longer than ninety minutes. The screens are decent-sized, sound's crisp, and you won't spend the whole film annoyed by someone's head in front of you.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Sunnydale Farm or Mercury are closest - it's a manageable drive for a rainy afternoon or evening when outdoor activities aren't on. Don't expect anything fancy: it's functional cinema, not an experience. But that's the point. Sometimes you just want to watch a film without the pretension.

Check their website for current film listings and showtimes before you head over, as schedules shift weekly. Ticket prices vary depending on time and day - matinees are cheaper than evening slots, naturally. It's the sort of outing that breaks up a camping holiday nicely, especially if the weather's turned.