What time does the film start?

We don’t have adverts before the film so the feature starts promptly as advertised, with the doors and bar opening one hour before.

If you are in the mood for our delicious cocktails then best come early as they have become really popular. Last orders is usually 15-20mins before the film. For Matinees, last orders for tea and coffee is usually 15mins before the film.

Do I need to book?

As evenings and matinees often sell out we would always advise booking in advance via our website or in person during café opening hours (10-1pm), but you can of course buy tickets on the door if available. We don’t book or reserve spaces so come early to grab your favourite seat.

What types of tickets are available and what are the seats like?

We have Standard, Member, Under 25 / Student and Concession for anyone over 65 or in receipt of benefits.

We have a mix of seating including traditional cinema seats on the balcony, leather sofas, armchairs, jazz-club style table and chairs, and even a velvet chaise longue.

Do we serve food? Can I bring food in?

Every day we serve a selection of pastries and homemade cakes, as well as sweet and savoury bar snacks, olives and local gelato with freshly baked cookies. We politely ask that you don’t bring in your own food or drink, or if you must then we ask that it be rustle free. We can supply you with a bowl to decant snacks if needed.

How do I book a ticket using my vouchers?

Once you have purchased your vouchers you can use them either via our website or in person (just show us the email receipt). To use them online, log in using the same email address as the one you nominated when buying the vouchers. When you come to checkout, the vouchers will be shown. If you have a paper voucher you will need to exchange these for tickets in advance with the cafe team (10-1pm daily).

How does the membership work?

If you’d like to help support Totnes Cinema we have a yearly membership scheme with up to £2 off cinema tickets and 10% off everything at the bar. Have a look at the Membership tab for more information.

Do we allow dogs?

We love your furry friends when the café is open, however we do not allow dogs during screenings.

Is the cinema a charity?

We set up as a Community Interest Company which means we operate for the benefit of the community rather than private shareholders. It's a legal structure designed for social enterprises and not-for-profit projects.

Most of the cinema team you'll meet at a screening will be volunteers.

A Brief History

Built around 1880, 27a High Street used to be the town's Temperance Hall and first became a cinema in 1946 when it was used by a travelling cinema for Thursday night screenings. Ken Prout has kindly given his permission to include excerpts from his publication "The History Of Totnes Cinemas" (available from the Totnes Museum)

Selected Images Courtesy of the Totnes Image Bank

"The Romany Cinema"

Smallest Cinema- Greatest Entertainment. Best remembered of all the cinemas in Totnes was The Romany, opened on June 25th 1951. The owners Kelvin and Grenville White.

The hall was completly refurbished with a new screen, projection box, cashiers box and ladies and Gent's toilets. Tip-up seating purchased from the Paignton's Regent Cinema provided luxury sprung seats in the rear four rows. The new layout slightly reduced the overall capacity from 161 to 146 seats.

There were no stairs in those days, the projection box was reached by climbing a vertical metal ladder, no easy feat when carrying large rolls of film.

Picture goers came in large numbers with Saturday night queues often running along the narrow passageway and under the Butterwalk as far as Harlequin Books, many waiting for anything up to three hours to see such legendary films as Breakfast at Tiffany's; High Noon; and Twelve Angry Men. Another large audience came on Saturday mornings to the children's show, where American Westerns were a favourite, with Roy Rogers Club badges proudly worn by sometimes noisy and excitable audience.

The cinema industry's links with romance, both on and off screen, are legendary. A trip to the pictures has long been a popular 'date', with many picture goers having their own special memories. Curiously, when the fixtures and fittings of the Romany Cinema were finally removed, five wedding rings were found lodged in framework of the tip-up seating - it was the 60's after all. If you are interested in finding out more about the history of cinemas in Totnes please visit the Totnes Museum.