Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre and one of the major tourist attractions of Cornwall. It is famous for its location having been built over a cliff, giving panoramic views of the ocean tides striking against the cliff. In fact, the name Minack comes from Cornish Meynek, meaning a rocky place.
The theatre looks like a historic Greek building but is in fact just 80 years old, built by a woman and her gardener alone. Minack Theatre in Cornwall is a must on any Cornwall itinerary. Whether you are coming for a weekend in Cornwall of over a week. There are also plenty of tours in Cornwall you can do but the ones at the theatre are all run by the Theatre so tickets are only available on their website.
Visiting The Beautiful Open Air Minack Theatre In Cornwall
Below are not only details of Minack opening times but also details of what’s on at Minack, how to get to the open-air theatre, the cafe on-site as well as upcoming events to check out.
Minack Theatre History
Rowena Cade established the Minack theatre. She along with her family moved to Cornwall after the first world war and bought the Minack headland for 100 pounds. She constructed a house and along with her family that lived here.
In 1929, a group of local performers played Shakespeare’s a midsummer night’s dream in a nearby meadow and Rowena Cade offered her garden as a location for next year’s performance. She, along with her gardener Billy Rawlings built the theatre in 1931-1932. In 1932, the crew performed Shakespeare’s The Tempest in the theatre and the audience was mesmerized with the sea as the background.
It was a huge success and granted Minack theatre a spotlight. Rowena Cade and her family continued to put in their efforts to make the theatre better until 1976 when it was granted the status of a charity trust.
Minack Theatre Sunsets
Minack theatre has gained so much popularity because of the serene view of the ocean that you get from up the hill. People especially come to visit the Minack Theatre to witness the glorious sunset over the Atlantic Ocean from this cliff, while the tides pound against it.
In addition to the views of the ocean, Minack Theatre has gardens which have flora native to South Africa. You can even buy plants for your home. There is an onsite café as well as a shop.
Minack Theatre Cafe
Onsite of the theatre you also have a cafe where you can chill out and have coffee and tea to amazing sea views over the cliffside theatre. The entrance to the cafe is after the reception, inside the theatre so it’s available only to visitors who have bought a ticket, or to play-goers. There is also a gift shop in the reception area selling unique souvenirs, drinks and confectionery.
Minack Theatre Opening Hours & Tours
Minack Theatre is open for public visits from 9.30 am till 5 pm from April till October. Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings are reserved for storytelling and there are matinee performances on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Visitors can also watch the performers rehearse. The Rowena Cade Center documents the creation of this theatre by Rowena Cade and her gardener. The theatre is closed to visitors during performances unless you have a ticket to the show of course.
Minack Theatre Shows
Dates Event Timings Performed by Availability of Tickets
Minack Theatre Whats On In December July 2019
July 29 – Aug 2 Great Expectations July 29 to August 2 at 8pm
July 30 & August 1 at 2pm Next Stage Theatre Company Sold out
Minack Theatre Whats On In December August 2019
- August 5 – 9 I, Don Quixote August 5 to 9 at 8pm
- August 6 & 8 at 2pm Shattered Windscreen Theatre Company Limited slots
- August 12 – 16 Sunset Boulevard August 12 to 16 at 8pm
- August 13 & 15 at 2pm The British Theatre Academy Sold out
- August 19 – 23 Blue Stockings August 19 to 23 at 8pm
- August 20 & 22 at 2pm Ilkley Playhouse
- August 26 – 30 The Government Inspector August 26 to 30 at 8pm
- August 27 & 29 at 2pm Guildburys Theatre Company
Minack Theatre Whats On In December September 2019
- September 2 – 6 The Mill on The Floss September 2 to 6 at 8pm
- September 3 & 5 at 2pm Brighton Little Theatre
- September 11,12,14,15,17,20 Orfeo September 11,12,14,17,20 at 7.30pm
- September 15 at 2pm A Minack Production
- September 10,12,13,14,16,17,18,19 Stones in His Pockets September 10,13,16,18,19 at 7.30pm
- September 10,12,14,17,19 at 2pm A Minack Production
- September 23 – 27 Princess Ida September 23 to 27 at 7.30pm
- September 24 & 26 at 2pm Cambridge G & S Society
- September 28 & 29 Proms at Minack September 28 & 29 at 7.30pm
- September 29 at 2pm Mount Charles Band
Minack Theatre Whats On In December October 2019
- October 1& 2 This Precious Earth October 1 & 2 at 7.30pm Jonathan Bielby & White Rose
- October 4 & 5 Movies by Moonlight Friday October 4 at 7.45pm Compass Presents
Minack Theatre Whats On In December 2019
- December 15 A Minack Christmas Concert Sunday December 15 at 2pm Pendeen Silver Band
Minack Theatre Tickets For Self Guided Tour & Shows
The tickets for visitation are priced at:
- Adult £5
- 15 & under £2.50
- 11 & under 50p
- Under 2 FREE
While the tickets for shows at Minack Theatre are priced at:
- Adults £14/£10
- Under 16 £7/£4
How To Get To Minack Theatre From Penzance
There are buses leaving Penzance to go to Minack Theatre but as we had a car we drove to Minack Theatre from Penzance. The roads are fairly windy so do take care when driving. In some parts, they are single lane and you have to make sure you look out for big and wide farm vehicles that are frequently driving in and out of hidden farm entrances. The drive from Penzance to Minack Theatre was about 20 minutes.
For sat navs our postcode is TR19 6JU. However, Sat Navs will direct you via the B3283 through the village of St.Buryan. This road has some very narrow sections which frequently get blocked when holiday traffic meets large camper vans, tractors and buses! The result is long hold-ups. They suggest using A30 almost to Land’s End before following the signs at Trevescan to Porthcurno and Minack. This is the route we used.
Are There Any Hotels Near Minack Theatre?
There are B&Bs in Porthcurno but you have to book super early as most vacancies sell out quickly especially in the summer months. You can book Porthcurno hotels via Booking.com for both Porthcurno where the theatre is located as well as wider Cornwall.
How To Get To Minack Theatre From London?
If you are thinking of doing this journey in a day you are setting yourself up for some hardship. We drove from London to Cornwall and that journey from central London is about 4 and a hour hours and there is traffic in London and when you arrive in Cornwall as some roads are busy and unavoidable. Driving from London we arrived in Penzance where we were staying and it was a few days after that we decided to visit Minack Theatre but from London to Minack Theatre is at least 5-6 hours considering the long drive plus local traffic when you arrive.
I have also factored in the fact that you would have to have at least one stop on the way there. For the train from London, you also need to factor in the 4 hour journey and waiting for the local buses when you arrive which may actually be the same amount of time if not longer so not exactly doable in one day.
In Minack Theatre Parking Available?
Yes, there is sufficient parking at the theatre for plenty of cars, with disabled parking spaces near the entrance. No shaded areas available so if it rains, it rains, the same goes for the theatre.
Minack Theatre Dog | Are dogs Allowed At Minack Theatre?
Does the Minack Theatre allow dogs? Yes, dogs are allowed at Minack but during shows, only service dogs are allowed.
Minack Theatre Disabled Access
The car park has disabled parking closer to the entrance but the top level of the theatre also has disabled seating too.
Also See:
- Photos To Inspire You To Visit Cornwall
- Why You Need To Visit Dorset’s Durdle Door
- 30 Amazing Weekend Getaways In The UK
- Best Day Trips From London
- Hi Impact
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Wow! I’m always dazzled by the depth of information in your posts. I’ve visited Cornwall but didn’t know this existed. The next time my mother visits from the US she has Cornwall at the top of her list. While I agree, it’s a ‘hike’ from London, it is well worth anyone’s time to make the trip. Thanks for adding something for us to do when she visits. Hope you’re well and maybe we can get together soon in London for a catch up!
Hey, Melanie, I will ping you over Facebook as I am travelling this week but we can arrange something for when I return.