The Chiltern

The Chiltern Cinema stands in Beaconsfield, a town in Buckinghamshire. Built in 1927 by architect W.F. Granger, it opened as ‘the picture house’ on Station Road. The cinema had 500 seats and no balcony, with a fixed 4:3 screen that required letterboxing for some films. Its neo-classical façade made it look unlike typical cinemas of the time. The exterior still shows ornate decorations, though the old ‘THE CHILTERN’ sign has faded. The building declined in the mid-1980s before closing shortly after. It later became part of the CIC Wycombe Six’s holdings. Today, the space is occupied by a Prezzo restaurant. The cinema’s history reflects changes in film exhibition and local entertainment. Visitors now find a restaurant inside the former auditorium. The neo-classical details remain visible from the street. The building’s past as a cinema is still evident despite its new purpose. The exterior offers a glimpse of its original design. The interior has been adapted for dining rather than film screenings.