Prince Charles Cinema
ENTRY
from £8
WHERE
London
What it’s like
A classic Leicester Square cinema where babies on laps go free at U, PG and 12A screenings, but 15s and 18s are off limits for little ones.
This is a proper old-school picture house just off Leicester Square, and the ticket you buy depends entirely on the slot and the film. A weekday matinee is £8 standard, which is fair for central London, but that same seat jumps to £11.50 once you're into evenings, weekends or bank holidays. Members pay more across the board, which seems backwards until you remember membership is really about getting into the sing-alongs and marathons rather than saving on a normal Tuesday afternoon screening.
Babies sat on a parent's lap get in free, but only for U, PG and 12A certificates. Nothing with a 15 or 18 rating, so check what's actually showing before you plan a trip with a baby in tow. Doors to the screen open ten minutes before the advertised time and they mean it about the cut-off too, no admissions 25 minutes after the film's started, which is a faff if the tube's delayed or you're still queuing for popcorn.
The phone-free rule once the film starts is strict and applies to everyone, which is worth knowing if you've got an older child who fidgets with a screen out of habit. Only food and drink bought on site can go into the screens, and they've got zero tolerance for anything hot, smelly or noisy, so that packet of crisps from home stays in the bag. Booking isn't compulsory but there is an online option if you want to lock in a seat, plus a 75p booking fee per ticket either way.
One genuine downside if you're pushing a buggy or need step-free access: the upstairs screen has no wheelchair access at all, and the council turned down a ramp or lift because the staircase is too narrow. The downstairs screen and foyer are ramped, and there's a free carer ticket if you've got a CEA card, but it's worth knowing which screen your film's booked into before you turn up.
Facilities
Need to know
- Wheelchairs
- No full wheelchair access throughout building
- Getting there by bus or train
- Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus tube stations nearby
- Card only, so don't bring cash for tickets or snacks
- Membership costs more per ticket than standard, it's really for the sing-alongs and marathons
- Late latecomers can be turned away entirely after 25 minutes, so build in time
- No emotional support animals are allowed in the screens
Plan your visit
How much are tickets?
£8 for a weekday matinee, £11.50 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays, standard rate. Members pay £11 and £14.50 for the same slots, and there's a 75p booking fee per ticket online.
Do we need to book ahead?
No, you can turn up and buy at the box office, or book online, over the phone or at the counter anytime.
Are babies allowed in?
Babies on a parent's lap go free for U, PG and 12A films. They're not permitted into 15 or 18 screenings.
How early should we get there?
Doors to the screen open 10 minutes before the film's advertised time, and there's no admission at all 25 minutes after it starts.
Can we bring snacks in?
Only food and drink bought on site is allowed in the screens, and they've got zero tolerance for hot, smelly or noisy food.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The foyer and downstairs screen are ramped, but there's no wheelchair access to the upstairs screen, and the council rejected a ramp or lift due to the narrow staircase.
Is there a discount for disabled visitors or carers?
A CEA card gets a free ticket for a carer alongside the paid ticket.
What's the phone policy?
Phones need to be away once the film starts, it's a fully phone-free screen policy.
How do we get there?
It's a short walk from either Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube stations.
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