Vue Leicester Square

Leicester Square's Vue cinema is a proper multiplex in the heart of London's West End, and it's the sort of place where catching a film feels like an event. You're right in the thick of the action - surrounded by restaurants, bars, and the general theatre-going buzz of the area. The screens are decent, the seating's comfortable enough, and there's the usual Vue perks: premium formats if you want them, and a concession stand that'll relieve you of a small fortune for popcorn and a drink.

This works best if you're after a night out rather than a rainy-day activity for the kids. Families will find it useful - there's always a decent family film showing - but it's hardly an all-day affair. Allow two to three hours from start to finish, depending on how early you arrive. You'll pay standard London cinema prices, which means it's not cheap, but that's the cost of being in the West End.

For a park holiday at somewhere like Lovat Parks just down the road, a Vue trip breaks up the routine nicely. It's the sort of evening activity you'd pair with dinner nearby rather than a standalone outing. The location's brilliant - you could easily spend the afternoon wandering Leicester Square itself, then settle in for a film. Just book online beforehand; walking up cold during peak times means you'll be sitting at the back or missing the showing altogether.