Situated in the southwestern corner of United Kingdom, lies the beautiful county of Cornwall, famous for its stunning beaches dissolving into the Celtic Sea. Penzance which is the last city on UK’s map and is considered as the gateway to the mesmerizing Isles of Scilly surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean is home to one of the most captivating landmarks in the country; the Minack Theatre also called as the Cornwall Theatre. Unfortunately, this gem is much underrated and not many people visit it, therefore I have written this post to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Minack Theatre in Cornwall, England.

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Having visited 38 cities in the UK, the county of Cornwall is indeed my favourite. Life is slower and simpler in this corner of the country, yet very serene. I started my train journey to Cornwall from the little city on the hill called Exeter in South Devon, another small country in the south-west of England, which is home to the world-class University of Exeter, well renowned for its Schools of Management and Law. I being a student at the university, was living my student life in this small beautiful city where it rained all the time. The train journey from Exeter to Penzance is perfect bliss for sea lover and the prettiest I have ever witnessed as the train passes through sea, bay and a river giving spectacular views that overshadowed the uncomfortable experience of highly noisy early morning train and the scorching sun hitting hard from big train windows.

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About the Minack Theatre in Cornwall

Minack Theatre in Cornwall is one of the first open-air theatres in the world which beautifully sits above the turquoise water of the Celtic Sea.  This mesmerizing piece of Greek art beautifully carved into granite cliffs overlooks the green and blue waters of Celtic Sea presenting a scene which couldn’t be described in words. Minack Theatre in Cornwall was built by a girl named Rowena Cade who dwelled in the Victorian Era and went on building this magical architecture with her own hands in the year 1930. The theatre came to life in 1932 when the first show was performed here. On bright moon-lighten nights, Minack Theatre in Cornwall presents a perfect setting for a love story to be filmed. There are many storytelling and drama shows running at the Minack Theatre throughout the year. One can either roam around the theatre or witness the rehearsals if they are scheduled.

The turquoise water in the backdrop against mountains presents a view which is second to none. The greyish colour of the granite rocks contrasts beautifully with the background, making Minack Theatre in England, one of the must-visit places in the country.

Exhibition Centre

The Minack Theatre in Cornwall is also home to an exhibition centre which delivers the story of Rowena Cade, the name behind the making of this theatre. The story of Rowena, as well as the theatre, is narrated through words, pictures and films and it is indeed fascinating to walk through it.

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Sub-tropical gardens, gift shop and café at the Minack Theatre

There is a garden present in the theatre which has various plants that can be bought too. There is a small café which offers different food and drinks including the famous Cornish pasty and creamy Cornish tea. The coffee shop is only opened during the opening hours of the theatre and only those who have bought the ticket for the theatre are allowed to enter. A small gift shop is also presented which sells souvenirs for the theatre.

Shows at the Minack Theatre

Various shows are performed at the theatre. Usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings are for storytelling shows and other performances take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Before visiting the theatre, please do check out the timings in case there is a show planned. The shows are not stopped or cancelled by the rain (isn’t it great as it rains pretty much all the time in England). The theatre isn’t designed for individual seats but has long rows carved from rocks and the audience can sit wherever they find a place. Such setting maintains the classical nature of the theatre rather than an artificial one.

During the shows, only guide dogs are allowed. Otherwise, dogs are permitted to the theatre.

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Timings and Prices for the Minack Theatre

When the shows are ongoing, visitors access to the theatre is very limited. Generally, the theatre opens daily from 9.30 AM till 6 PM with the last entry at 5.30 PM. These times vary on the days of shows. The café also opens up when the theatre opens and closes by 5 PM. There is plenty of parking available at the theatre.

Prices for the visit

Adults- £5

15 & under- £2.50

11& under- 50p

Under 2- FREE

Each day pass gives you a re-admission voucher and you are entitled to free entry to the theatre for one year from the date of receipt of that pass. Don’t forget to ask for one as you leave.

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Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Minack Theatre is indeed sunny afternoons when the sun shines brightly on the granite rocks, making them shimmer against the blue water diluted by the green colour of the Celtic Sea. As it rains lesser during this period, one can expect a more pleasant stay at the theatre with some perfect Instagram photos. It is advisable to take a warm sweater if you are visiting in the evening as the theatre is all open. With a very cool breeze from the sea, it tends to get pretty cold as the sunsets. However, during whichever time of the year you visit this fairytale landmark in Cornwall, there is undeniable magic attached to it.

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How to visit Penzance; the home of the Cornwall Theatre

Penzance is located at the most southwestern corner of England and is the last town on the main railway line. If travelling from London, there is a direct train to Penzance which takes about 5 hours to reach. Alternatively, if one is travelling from some other part of the country, a change of train might take place either in London or Bristol before it heads to Penzance. Check out Cheap Train Tickets

Minack Theatre is located in Porthcurno, a small area in Penzance. There is a direct bus from Penzance train station to Minack Theatre that drops you at the base of the cliff where the theatre is located. A little walk up the cliff is required to witness this gem of Penzance and the walk is richly rewarding. This journey takes about 40 minutes. Alternatively, one can take a taxi as plenty of them are available at the rail station or can drive to the theatre if arriving in the town by car.

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 Accommodation in Penzance

Penzance is a small town and there is plenty of reasonable accommodation available. Most of them are guest houses and lodges which serve breakfast too.

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There are plenty of beautiful beaches in Cornwall and one can club his visit to the Minack Theatre along with a visit to any of these beaches.

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