Find a spot on the grassy terraces and enjoy unobstructed views of the stage and sea in this remarkable outdoor theatre carved into Cornwall’s rugged coastline.
The Minack Theatre is a majestic open-air amphitheatre with Romanesque qualities and stunning ocean views. The venue is carved into the rocky headland with the Atlantic Ocean providing a backdrop for the stage. Sit down on the terraced seating and watch theatre under the stars.
Visit the theatre’s exhibition centre to find out how it grew from a garden terrace into the venue it is today. It all began in 1932, when local arts enthusiast Rowena Cade offered up her family’s land for a production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, since its views of the sea correspond with the play’s themes. Gradually, using varied means, Cade continued to convert and enlarge the site, which was used as a location for the movie Love Story.
About 20 plays are hosted here every year between Easter and autumn. If you can’t attend a performance, pay a small fee to access the site during the day. Wander around the terraces and coastal gardens, which contain interesting non-native plants.
Explore the backstage areas and walk along the stage to imagine performing in front of a crowd. Watch the actors and directors preparing and putting on rehearsals. The complex’s on-site café serves snacks and light meals, while the gift shop sells souvenirs, jewellery and plants among other items.
The theatre is on the south side of Porthcurno Beach. Stroll along its sandy shores or swim in the inviting waters of the bay lifeguards patrol this stretch during summer.
Opening hours for the theatre vary depending on the season and performance times, so check ahead before you go. The theatre season runs from May to September annually.
The Minack Theatre is in Cornwall in the southwestern corner of England. Drive southwest from Penzance and reach the theatre in around 25 minutes. Nearby attractions include Land’s End, the most westerly point of the English mainland, and the village of Sennen Cove.
