Minack Theatre

The Minack Theatre in Porthcurno is an open-air theatre built into a granite cliff above Porthcurno Bay, with the sea as the backdrop to the stage. After the First World War Rowena Cade bought land at Minack Point and built a house there. In 1929 she became involved in Shakespeare performances by an amateur group from the village, and in 1932 “The Tempest” was staged in her cliff garden. Cade built terraces and seating with her gardener and went on working on the site into old age; she died in 1983. In 1976 the theatre passed into the hands of a charitable trust.

The season begins at Easter and runs into the autumn; performances take place in the open air and depend on the weather. Outside performances, Visit Cornwall says the site can also be visited during the day; there are fewer visiting days in winter, and a visitor centre is open all year. Expect steep paths and steps. Booking is required for performances.