A CUMBRIAN cinema has been named one of the best in the UK and Ireland.

Ambleside’s Zeffirellis placed ninth in Time Out’s ‘The 50 best cinemas in the UK and Ireland’.

The global magazine that covers all the best things in entertainment, arts, food and drink and much more sent out their local experts to find the best cinemas in the UK and Ireland and share what makes them special.

As well as five modern screens and comfy seating, Zeffirellis has an award-winning pizzeria offering dinner-and-a-movie deals and is widely acclaimed for its jazz bar that has hosted some of the world’s contemporary greats.

And sister cinema Fellinis also hosts live music, theatre and dance.

In the article Time Out said of Zefirellis: “This gem at the northern tip of Lake Windermere is named after Franco Zeffirelli and has a sister cinema across town called Fellinis.

“There’s no direct link to the Italian maestros – neither was known for taking boating holidays in the Lake District or availing themselves of Ambleside’s lovely little boutiques – except for a shared love of cinema, a sense of occasion and Italian nibbles.

“Zeffirellis has a pizzeria offering dinner-and-a-movie deals, but if you want to cut to the chase, the five modern screens (and their comfy seats) have your back.

“And by night, Zeffirellis sticks on a tux to welcome jazz fans to live gigs from big names like Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland. Bellissima! Phil de Semlyen.

“Put it on the poster: Withnail & I director Bruce Robinson debuted his locally-set cult classic at Zeffirellis, while Ken Russell was a local and premiered several of his films here.”