Evening performance at the Minack Theatre

Watch a show at the Minack Theatre

This excursion is so special to us and wholly unique.

Shows at the Minack Theatre sell out months in advance and it is one of the highlights of our summer school programme.

After enjoying a coast walk around Land’s End and a picnic on the beach, we head over to the Minack Theatre for an evening show.

The Minack is one of the most spectacular outdoor amphitheatres in the world and we love taking our students to enjoy this magical experience.

Find out more about the Minack

Summer school excursion to the Minack Theatre, Cornwall.

Language Tree students and staff walking from Porthcurno beach to the Minack.

Actors performing at the Minack Theatre.

Adult students having a drink at the Minack theatre.

Students climbing the path from Porthcurno beach to the Minack.

Language Tree students and staff smiling at the Minack theatre.

A group of summer school students walking up to the Minack, Porthcurno.

The history of the Minack

The theatre was conceived of by Rowena Cade, after a magical open air performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rowena wanted to capture that magic again and started to build a theatre on a rocky outcrop above the picturesque Porthcurno beach.

Dragging sacks of sand up the steep cliff, Rowena and her gardener, Billy, constructed the entire theatre by hand (with a little help from sticks of dynamite).

The Minack is a feat of creativity, engineering and passion that has to be seen to be believed.

A stone plaque at the Minack reads, "Rowena Cade created this theatre".

A truly magical place

Why do we spend so much more time on this trip? Well, the Minack is a truly unique place and not just because it’s a hand-built amphitheatre backdropped by the sea.

It’s located amongst some of the most outstanding coastline Cornwall has to offer. There really is nothing better than watching a show there as the colours of the sunset wash over the sky and water.

Lucky groups of students have spotted dolphins and other sea life in the waters during a show too!

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Our Minack excursion

This excursion is a true adventure, which usually goes something like this:

Students walking on the coast path from Sennen to Land's End.

1. Starting in Sennen

We arrive in the cute village of Sennen and set off on the South West Coast Path, following the North coast.It's an easy, scenic route with lots of chances for photos along the way.

2. We reach Land's End!

The most westerly point of the UK mainland and a popular tourist destination. Here, there are some shops, arcades and spots to grab some light refreshment.

Junior summer school students walking from Sennen to Land's End.

3. Returning to Sennen

Along these walks, we pause to take in the scenery and Language Tree staff can share some of the wonderful stories of this area (telling tales of the mythical town of Lyonesse, pointing out the lighthouse keepers’ houses, showing the site of a wrecked ship and looking at its remains amongst the rocks).

Looking down to Sennen beach from the coast path

4. A picnic on the beach

Wrapping up our walk with a picnic by the sea at Sennen before…

Summer School students taking their seats at the Minack theatre.

5. Arriving at the Minack!

We always aim to get here about an hour before the show starts, so we have plenty of time to find our seats, take in the views, grab snacks and chat.

Language Tree staff and students watching a performance at the Minack theatre.

6. Sit back and enjoy the show

Performances at the Minack usually sell out, so the atmosphere is fantastic. Some plays are funny, others thought-provoking. We’ll always introduce the story and characters during our classes that morning, so everyone can enjoy the play to its fullest.

Join us this summer

Explore Further

We aim to keep you as informed as possible. Take a look at these related pages to dive deeper into this topic.

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Watch a show at the Minack Theatre

The history of the Minack

A truly magical place