Local Area

St Austell

The curve of St Austell Bay with it’s many sandy beaches is a haven for watersports and family holidays. The area is also fantastic for walking and cycling with many woodlands and trails. The white peaks of the China Clay industry overlook the market town of St Austell, Cornwall's largest town dating back to the 13th century. St Austell town is situated about a mile from the coast. Walk along Fore Street and you reach the historic core of the town to discover the fine Holy Trinity Parish Church. The shopping centre has a cinema, restaurants, cafes and shops.

 

St Austell Brewery

Founded in 1851 by Walter Hicks it has grown to become the biggest brewery in Cornwall with a string of pubs. The brewery is open to the public for tours. Famous for it's "Proper Job" and "Tribute" Ales and "Korev" Lager.

 

The Eden Project

Built in an old china clay pit, the Eden Project is now one of the most famous attractions in the world. A visit to Cornwall would not be complete without walking through the biomes in wonder at the amazing plants that tower above you.

 

Heligan Gardens

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. The gardens are typical of the 19th Century Gardenesque style with areas of different character and in different design styles.

 

Wheal Martyn Museum and Country Park

Learn all about the china clay industry. An excellent open-air museum dedicated to the area’s all-encompassing industry. Apart from displays of bygone work practices, you can see the breathtakingly massive modern working pits that use high-pressure hoses to blast the clay from the ground.

 

Pinetum Gardens

A place of tranquillity, peace and remarkable garden scenery. This family-owned garden offers an intimate experience with a personal touch. Lovingly created over the past four decades, this 30-acre garden is home to one of the largest plant collections in the county. Set within stunning parkland, ten individually themed garden rooms host an array of plants. Also home to some of the county’s most spectacular champion trees. A garden for all seasons, it is a botanical delight for gardeners; a wonderful retreat for walkers and a place for families to explore and have fun with nature

 

Beaches

St Austell has some of the loveliest beaches in Cornwall – Porthpean, Charlestown, Carlyon Bay, Duporth and Pentewan with Gorran and Polkerris nearby.

 

Ports

St Austell’s port is the lovely harbour of Charlestown, where you will frequently see old sailing ships. The port has been used as a film location for numerous films and television series, such as Poldark. There is a small museum packed to the gunnels with historical artefacts relating to HMS Victory, Titanic, smugglers and pirates making it the largest private collection of it’s type on public display in Europe.

 

Within easy reach are also the old fishing ports of Fowey and Mevagissey.

 

Cycle Trails and Coast Paths

St Austell has a number of trails and paths, both woodland and coastal.

• Gover Valley - Right on our doorstep! Enjoy the beautiful and varied landscape of the Gover Valley where china clay workings have been reclaimed by nature. The word "Gover "translated means ‘stream’ and has gained it's name from a tributary of the St Austell river which runs through it. It is known locally as ‘The White River’. Despite the fact that china clay workings are no longer active in the valley, the river and it's pools still retain china clay’s recognisable milky residue and turquoise tint. There is also evidence of a small tin mine to the right of the valley not forgetting Brunel’s railway viaduct.

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• Clay Trails – The Clay Trails wind their way through the unique landscape of Cornwall’s china clay mining area, offering an insight into both the past and present of an industry which has shaped the area since the Industrial Revolution. China clay – or kaolin – is still extracted today for use in the paper and ceramics industries, and much more. You’ll see stunning turquoise dams, coloured by fine particles of mica suspended in the water, towering clay tips, made up of excavation waste, known collectively as the Cornish Alps and historical listed buildings such as drying chimneys and working china clay pits. There are 9 trails in total. Visit www.claytrails.co.uk for further information.

 

• Coastal paths – Charlestown to Porthpean, Charlestown to Carlyon Bay, Gribben Head, Pentewan, Heligan and Mevagissey, Porthpean to Black Head, Par to Polkerris. Visit www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk for further information.

 

Eating out

St Austell has a number of restaurants, pubs and take-aways.

 

Transport

St Austell has it’s own train and bus station.