Zeffirellis by the Park

Zeffirellis by the Park is an independent cinema and dining destination in Ambleside, in the English Lake District. It is the flagship venue of the Zeffirellis family of venues, which brings together film, food, music and cultural events under one identity. The business began in 1980 and has grown into an award-winning contemporary restaurant and cinema housed in the original Ambleside cinema building. Its restaurant is known for a modestly priced Italian-inspired vegetarian menu focused on pizza and pasta, and the combined dinner-and-cinema offer is a long-standing draw for both locals and visitors. Beyond the cinema screen, Zeffirellis operates a relaxed terrace café and hosts live jazz, forming part of a year-round programme that includes the latest cinema releases, internationally acclaimed jazz performances, outdoor cinema, Ambleside Days and Royal Ballet & Opera broadcasts. The wider Zeffirellis family of venues also includes Fellinis, founded in 2009 in the former Conservative Club building, which pairs a curated cinema programme with an elegant vegetarian restaurant offering a regularly changing Mediterranean menu and special event screenings such as ballet, opera and theatre. The venue has hosted film premieres including 'Withnail and I', Ken Russell's 'Gothic' and Sir Anthony Hopkins' BBC film 'Across the Lake', as well as many live musical events. It also stages the Inward Eye Festival, with a 2026 edition announced for 12th–14th November. Zeffirellis presents itself as an iconic Lake District venue where exceptional dining, independent cinema, live jazz and unique cultural experiences come together.

Zeffirellis began life in 1980. From simple beginnings it grew into an award-winning contemporary restaurant, housed in the original Ambleside cinema building. The restaurant offers a modestly priced Italian-inspired vegetarian menu focusing on pizza and pasta dishes, and its stylish decor and ambience are presented as enhancing a unique dining experience. The combined dinner-and-cinema offer, with exceptional service, is described as being as popular as ever, and the venue remains a vibrant hub in Ambleside at any time of the year. Over the years the venue has hosted film premieres, including 'Withnail and I', Ken Russell's 'Gothic' and Sir Anthony Hopkins' BBC film 'Across the Lake', as well as many live musical events. In 2009 the group expanded with the founding of Fellinis, housed in the former Conservative Club building, where the twisting staircase first inspired the vision for a truly special venue. Fellinis was designed to offer a complete evening out, combining a carefully curated cinema programme with an elegant vegetarian restaurant and a menu that changes regularly to reflect the seasonal flavours of the Mediterranean. It also offers a popular dinner-and-cinema package and special event screenings including ballet, opera and theatre. Today Zeffirellis presents itself as an award-winning destination in the heart of Ambleside, bringing together exceptional dining, an independent cinema, a relaxed terrace café and live jazz in one of the Lake District's most iconic venues. Its year-round programme spans the latest cinema releases, internationally acclaimed jazz performances, outdoor cinema, Ambleside Days and Royal Ballet & Opera broadcasts. The venue also stages the Inward Eye Festival, with the 2026 edition announced for 12th–14th November and first programme announcements promised soon.

• 2026

  Inward Eye Festival 2026 announced for 12th–14th November.

• 2009

  Fellinis founded in the former Conservative Club building.

• 1980

  Zeffirellis began life in Ambleside.

An award-winning, iconic Lake District destination combining independent cinema, vegetarian dining, live jazz and cultural experiences.

• Italian-inspired vegetarian restaurant menu

  Modestly priced menu focusing on pizza and pasta dishes.

• Independent cinema

  Screens latest cinema releases and special event screenings.

• Terrace café

  A relaxed terrace café.

• Live jazz

  Internationally acclaimed jazz performances.

• Dinner-and-cinema package

  Combined dinner and cinema offer.

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