My original plan for my second day in Cornwall was to visit Land’s End, the western-most point of England. The proprietress of my guest house talked me out of it and encouraged me to go to Minack Theatre in nearby Porthcurno instead. I’m glad I took her advice. You could do both, but the infrequent buses did not cooperate for me in the off-season. It would also be delightful to hike the coastal path between the two, so I will be returning to Cornwall some day.

The Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre perched on the side of a cliff. It was built in the 1930s by Rowena Cade, a lady who evidently owned the land and had a vision for a playhouse by the sea. The theatre has hosted plays ever since. It’s a beautifully peaceful spot. When I was there, a high school class of art students sketched to their hearts’ delight, and a large group of German tourists chatted amiably among themselves.

Porthcurno is also the site of the first telegraph line placement. There’s a Telegraph museum there, detailing the history of the medium. I didn’t go in, but it looks interesting if you’re into that kind of thing.

Title quote: William Shakespeare, The Tempest, the first play performed at the then-rudimentary Minack Theatre in 1932