The Cinema Museum

The Cinema Museum is a unique charitable museum in Kennington dedicated to preserving the history of cinema and the experience of cinema-going from the earliest days to the present. Housed in the former Lambeth Workhouse—where Charlie Chaplin lived as a child—the museum holds an extraordinary collection of film projectors of every gauge ever manufactured, vintage cinema memorabilia, posters, programmes, and equipment spanning over a century of film history. Founded in 1986 by Ronald Grant and Martin Humphries from their own private collection, it's a living archive where film enthusiasts can experience cinema history through guided tours and special events.

Beyond its role as a museum, the venue hosts film screenings using specially adapted vintage projectors that show silent films at the correct gauge and speed, alongside modern film events and theatrical performances. The museum runs an eclectic programme of talks, screenings, and cultural events that celebrate all aspects of cinema, from early silent films to contemporary television culture. Open primarily by appointment for guided tours and special events, The Cinema Museum is a grassroots, volunteer-run space that offers a tangible, immersive connection to cinema's past—complete with the scent of old celluloid and the charm of a truly independent cultural institution.