Watershed
ENTRY
from £6
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
An independent cinema on the harbourside with baby-friendly screenings and a family strand where kids join the jury on a film.
This is the place for parents who want cinema that isn't just the multiplex blockbuster rota. There's Cinébabies for anyone with a baby under 12 months, so you don't have to worry about crying or feeding mid-film, and screenPLAY is their family strand where children actually sit on a jury and get stuck into a hands-on activity around the film rather than just watching it passively. If your kids are past the point of wanting cartoons on a loop, this gives them something with a bit more to chew on.
Pricing shifts by time of day, which is worth knowing before you pick a slot. Get there before 4pm on a weekday (or before 2pm at weekends) and a full price ticket is £9.50, concessions £7. Go later and it jumps to £12 full price, £9.50 concession. Monday's the cheap day at £6 flat, so if your week has any flexibility, that's the one to grab. Book online or by phone and there's a 12% fee added on top, which stings a bit for what's otherwise a fair price.
The café and bar runs every day with proper meals, not just popcorn, and there's a children's menu plus vegan and vegetarian options. No need to book a table, you just find a spot when you get there. There's a lift to the first floor, an accessible toilet with a family room roomy enough for a buggy, and two Blue Badge spaces round the back on Canons Road if you need them, though the nearest car parks are Millennium Square and Trenchard Street NCP if not.
Spacious Sessions are worth flagging if anyone in your group finds busy galleries hard going, they cap the room at 10 people instead of 15, but you'll need to wear a mask if you're not exempt, which is a fair trade for some but a faff for others.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Cinébabies suits under-1s, screenPLAY suits older kids who like getting involved
- Parking
- Nearby car parks: Millennium Square Car Park and Trenchard Street NCP parking
- Food
- Café & Bar open 7 days a week with coffees, light bites and main meals
- Pushchairs
- Large family room in toilets with plenty of room for a buggy
- Wheelchairs
- Building accessible with lift access to first floor
- Getting there by bus or train
- Nearest bus stops on 'The Centre', no more than 2 minute walk away
- Worth knowing
- Club Shed members get 15% off cinema and Undershed tickets
- Monday is the cheapest day at £6 flat, any time
- Booking online or by phone adds a 12% fee, paying at the box office doesn't
- You can register your access requirements in advance so they know what you need each visit
- Two Blue Badge spaces are on Canons Road at the rear if the main car parks are full
Plan your visit
How much are tickets?
Depends when you go. Before 4pm on weekdays or 2pm at weekends it's £9.50 full price, £7 concession. After that it's £12 and £9.50. Monday's a flat £6 all day.
Do we need to book ahead?
You don't have to, but booking online or by phone adds a 12% fee. Turning up at the box office avoids it.
Is there anything for babies?
Cinébabies screenings are aimed at parents with babies under 12 months, so nobody minds if there's a bit of noise.
What's screenPLAY?
It's their family strand where kids sit in a jury seat and take part in a hands-on activity linked to the film, rather than just watching it.
Can we get food there?
The café and bar is open seven days a week with proper meals as well as snacks, and there's a children's menu alongside vegan and vegetarian options.
Do we need to book a table for food?
No need, just grab a spot when you arrive. You can email ahead to reserve one if you'd rather.
Is there parking nearby?
Millennium Square Car Park and Trenchard Street NCP are both close by, and there are two Blue Badge spaces at the rear on Canons Road.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's lift access to the first floor and an accessible toilet with a family room big enough for a buggy.
What if my child finds crowds difficult?
Spacious Sessions in the gallery cap numbers at 10 instead of 15, though masks are required unless you're exempt.
How do we get there without a car?
The nearest bus stops are on The Centre, no more than a two minute walk away.
Are there any discounts for regular visitors?
Club Shed members get 15% off cinema and Undershed tickets.
What accessibility support is on offer for screenings?
Audio description is available through personal headphones at selected screenings, along with descriptive subtitles for dialogue and key sounds.
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