St. Austell
OS Grid Ref:- SX011524
A bustling market town at the heart of the Cornish 'mountains', St. Austell, known in Cornish Sen Ostell, boasts many interesting old buildings. The panoramic sweep of St. Austell Bay offers outstanding cliff scenery and some superb beaches.
St Austell is situated at the centre of the Cornish china-clay industry. The clay was discovered by William Cookworthy in 1755, with the opening of the pits to mine the clay, St. Austell's population and prosperity soon began to grow. The china clay industry was the mainstay of the area's economy and led to the transformation of St. Austell from a small Medieval village. The harbour was built and the local economy boomed until china clay slurry caused the silting which lead to St. Austell's closure as a port.
St Austell's characterful narrow streets and pedestrianised precincts offer a wide range of shops. The highly interesting Wheal Martyn Heritage Museum covers the development of the china clay industry in the area and is well worth a visit. T
Holy Trinity Church dates to the fifteenth century, unusual for Cornwall, the church's tower is finely decorated with sculptured figures. T
The Polkyth Recreation Centre, near St. Austell Station offers squash, badminton, tennis, sauna, pool and has a cafe and bar and the Eden Project, one of England's most popular visitor attractions, is located nearby.
Caerhays Castle Garden, near St. Austell, lies by the coast and surrounds an early nineteenth century Gothic Revival castle built by John Nash, the architect of London's marble arch. The gardens are justly famous for their spectacular Magnolias and wide range of shrubs. The gardens and castle are open to the public only in the spring.