Carlton Cinema, Islington

Carlton Cinema is an Art Deco-era movie theater in Islington featuring a distinctive Egyptian facade covered with colorful ceramic tiles. The interior blends Empire style with French Renaissance elements in elaborate ornamentation.

The cinema opened in 1930 as an entertainment venue hosting both films and live performances. Over the decades it shifted uses multiple times, eventually becoming a church space.

The building emerged during a time when Egyptian imagery shaped British entertainment culture. Its colorful tiled facade served as a striking landmark that drew visitors to this entertainment destination.

The building on Essex Road is easily accessible by public transport and sits centrally in Islington. Visitors should note that the space now functions as an event venue with variable opening times.

The building was heavily influenced by the Tutankhamun exhibition, which shaped European architecture in 1922. This Egyptian enthusiasm showed particularly in the colorful tile facade, giving cinemas of that era an exotic character.

Location: London Borough of Islington

Address: 161-169, Essex Road, Islington, London, England

GPS coordinates: 51.54040,-0.09720

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03