Nothing says summer like an alfresco night out watching fab movies under the stars. From parkland and rooftops to palace pleasure grounds, here's where to head, popcorn and blanket at the ready

Pack the Pimms, a picnic rug and a brolly and prepare for a summer of fun. Three of our favourite activities – watching a film, lounging outside and getting tipsy – are all available in one delicious bundle. Don’t miss your summer 2022 movie marathon, with a steady stream of outdoor cinema nights in Surrey.

JUNE

Priory Park, Reigate

Pretty Priory Park in central Reigate will be laying on the summer vibes as the big screen goes up for three nights of feel-good films. There’s some great foodie option too – Sicicily StrEATS will be serving up a selection of Italian goodies and there’s also the Luna bar for drinks and a crêpe van. Oh la la!
■ Thurs 23 June, 9.15pm ■ Rocketman
■ Fri 24 Jun, 9.15pm ■ West Side Story
■ Sat 25 June, 9.15pm ■ Pretty Woman

JULY

Woldingham School, Woldingham

Silent Summer Screenings are bringing their immersive live music and film events to the stately grounds of Woldingham School, set on the bucolic 700 acre Marden Park estate. Using wireless headphones for all of the event’s sound, it promises to be a memorable night of dancing, laughing and singing under the stars. 
■ Fri 8 July, 8.15pm ■ Rocketman
■ Sat 9 July, 8.15pm ■ Sing

The Priory School, Dorking

Spielberg’s toe tapping Hollywood musical brings the alfresco night alive in Dorking this summer – but without bothering the neighbours – in this silent film screening. Wireless headphones will beam sound directly to your ears. Drinks and snacks are also available.
■ Thurs 16 July, 8.05pm ■ West Side Story

Park Hill Park, Croydon

Lady Gaga lights up the screens in Ridley Scott’s 2021 biographical crime drama that tells the true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. It’s part of the Silent Summer Screenings which means there’s live music as well as the film, and rather than speakers bringing you the sounds it all comes via wireless headphones. 
■ Thurs 21 July, 8pm ■ House of Gucci

Onslow Recreation Ground, Guildford

All aboard the Onslow Rec time machine and back to the Eighties we go for a Silent Summer Screenings showing of the Goonies with the sound bought to you via wireless headphones.
■ Fri 22 July, 8pm ■ The Goonies

Collectively Camberley Rooftop Film Festival, Camberley

A cinema experience in which level 5 of the main square car park in Camberley will be transformed into a cool roof top cinema. Deck chairs are provided, and there will be food and drink. Don’t go bringing your own booze – it’s not allowed – and neither are brollies, so if it’s looking stormy best find a supersized bin-bag or a cagool!
■ Fri 22 July, 8pm ■ James Bond: No Time to Die
■ Sat 23 July, 9am ■ Moana
■ Sat 23 July, 3pm ■ Encanto
■ Sat 23 July, 8pm ■ The Greatest Showman (singalong)
■ Sun 24 July, 10am ■ Sing 2
■ Sun 24 July, 4pm ■ Grease (Singalong)

Master Park, Oxted

The big screen is going up in the centre of Oxted for a one-night film fest that takes us back to the future.
■ Sat 23 July, 8pm ■ Back to the Future

Chiswick Gardens, Chiswick

Chiswick House is a magnificent neo-Palladian villa set within 65 acres of beautiful gardens. And this summer it has Luna Cinema too! Balmy evening staring at the big screen? Race you. There will be the usual food and drink stalls and trucks, or take your own picnic (but no booze), Or you can go fancy and opt for a firepit-side sofa with blankets and a bottle of Prosecco, or a deckchair for two, or hire one of the director’s chairs if you want to travel light.
■ Fri 22 July, 9.15pm ■ Belfast
■ Sat 23 July, 9.15pm ■ Pretty Woman
■ Sun 25 July, 9.15pm ■ Some Like it Hot

AUGUST

The Burys Fields, Godalming

Silent Summer Screenings is brining their silent disco and film night to Godalming that takes us back to the Seventies with the classic American musical starring Olivia Newton John as the wholesome Sandy and a leather-clad John Travolta as Danny. Go Grease lightening!
■ Thurs 4 Aug, 7.30pm ■ Grease

Lion Green, Haslemere

Lion Green in Haslemere’s Weyhill is all set to be taken over for an evening of singing, dancing and film watching – when the Silent Summer Screenings descend this summer. Spielberg’s song and dance film, West Side Story is on the bill. Food and drinks are available to buy. Sound is via wireless headphones.
■ Thurs 4 Aug, 8.20pm ■ West Side Story

Victory Park, Addlestone

The sexy comedy lights up Victory Park as part of the Silent Summer Screenings. We’re promised a magical evening under the stars with live music, great food (perhaps a cheeky drink..) and an amazing movie.
■ Sat 6 Aug, 7.30pm ■ Coyote Ugly

Wimbledon Common, Wimbledon

Think Wimbledon is all about the tennis this summer? Think again! The big screen is rolling onto the common for two nights of alfresco film. But the tennis isn’t completely forgotten with the story of superstar tennis siblings Venus and Serena Williams, King Richard, showing on the first night. Food and drinks available to buy there… and there’s also the option to upgrade from your own BYO picnic rug to a deck chair, a director’s chair for two or a snuggly sofa.
■ Tues 9 Aug, 8.30pm ■ King Richard
■ Wed 10 Aug, 8.30pm ■ West Side Story

Old Deer Park, Richmond

The Goonies are let loose in the Old Deer Park in Richmond – not to be confused with Richmond Park, although the site was originally connected to Richmond Palace, deriving its name from the hunting park created by James I in 1604. There’s live music, as well as food and drink available to buy on the night. Sound comes via wireless headphones.
■ Thurs 11 Aug, 7.20pm ■ The Goonies

Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey

Four night of fabulous feel-good films under the stars at Henry’s former pleasure palace. The giant screen is positioned on East Front Lawns, with Henry’s impressive abode providing a floodlit backdrop. There will be the usual fab food and drink stalls and trucks, or you can take a picnic (but no booze).
■ Thurs 11 Aug, 8.30pm ■ Pretty Woman
■ Fri 12 Aug, 8.30pm ■ West Side Story
■ Sat 13 Aug, 8.30pm ■ Grease
■ Sun 14 Aug, 8.30pm ■ The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Purley Beeches, Purley

Tom Cruise and the original Top Gun fly into this lovely tree garden in Purley for a night of high voltage airborne action. It comes courtesy of Silent Summer Screenings – which means all sound comes via wireless headphones. Expect live music, food and drinks as well!
■ Fri 12 Aug, 7.30pm ■ Top Gun

Guildford Cathedral, Guilford

The imposing modern cathedral that sits atop Stag Hill, is the perfect picnic spot and a dramatic backdrop for outdoor cinema screenings. And this summer, the films being shown are as iconic as the setting starting with West Side Story.
■ Fri 12 Aug, 8.30pm ■ West Side Story
■ Sat 13 Aug, 8.30pm ■ Mamma Mia!
■ Sun 14 Aug, 8.30pm ■ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Coulsdon Memorial Ground, Coulsdon

Tom and his buddies from the US Navy’s elite fighter weapons school get another outing this summer lighting up the big screen in Coulsdon thanks to Silent Summer Screenings.
■ Sat 13 Aug, 7.30pm ■ Top Gun
■ Also dates in September

Nutfield Priory, Redhill

This neo-Gothic Victorian manor house built in the mid 1800s offers a stunning backdrop to the three-night film fest hosted by Adventure Cinema. Picnics are welcome, but if you can’t be faffed with that there’s woodfired pizzas available to buy, plus drinks and snacks from The Bean Box.
■ Wed 17 Aug, 8.45pm ■ Sister Act
■ Thurs 18 Aug, 8.45pm ■ The Rocky Horror Picture Show
■ Fri 19 Aug, 8.45pm ■ Mamma Mia: 50 Years of Abba

Horley Recreation Ground, Horley

The six and a half acre recreation ground in Horley will become a big outdoor cinema this summer. There’s live music plus food and drink – and the vibe is one of all singing and dancing so get your party shoes on.
■ Fri 19 Aug, 7.15pm ■ Coyote Ugly

Cheam Recreation Ground, Cheam

The 1993 American sports film about a Jamaican sprinter who’s disqualified from the Olympics, and instead start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team is guaranteed to bring some laughs. There’s live music, food and drink – and it’s all silent thanks to wireless headphones.
■ Sat 20 Aug, 7.30pm ■ Cool Runnings

SEPTEMBER

Kew Gardens, Richmond

The glorious botanic gardens at Kew is rounding off the summer with a five-day film fest showing a host of family favourites. There are showings during the as well as the evening. Alongside the movies there are tipples the Luna Bar, plus various foodie options including popcorn.
■ Wed 31 Aug, 11.15am ■ Triple Bill: The Snail and The Whale, Zog, Zog and the Flying Doctors
■ Wed 31 Aug, 2.45pm ■ Encanto
■ Thurs 1 Sept, 11am ■ Moana
■ Thurs 1 Sept, 2.30pm ■ Jurassic Park
■ Thurs 1 Sept, 7.30pm ■ Dune
■ Fri 2 Sept, 11.15am ■ Sing 2
■ Fri 2 Sept, 3pm ■ Aladdin
■ Fri 2 Sept, 7.30pm ■ No Time to Die
■ Sat 3 Sept, 11am ■ Encanto
■ Sat 3 Sept, 2.30pm ■ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
■ Sat 3 Sept, 7.30pm ■ West Side Story
■ Sun 4 Sept, 11am ■ Triple Bill: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Highway Rat
■ Sun 4 Sept, 2pm ■ Sing 2
■ Sun 4 Sept, 5.45pm ■ Spider Man: No Way Home

Coulsdon Memorial Ground, Coulsdon

The Silent Summer Screenings return to Coulsdon in the autumn for a second night – to bring us Spielberg’s toe tapper. Bring a blanket – it’s likely to be a bit nippy – alternatively you can get up and dance yourself warm. There’s live music, as well as food and drink.
■ Thurs 8 Sept, 7.30pm ■ West Side Story