About the location
ST. AUSTELL
Charlestown 2 miles; Carlyon Bay 3 miles; Mevagissey 6 miles; Fowey 8 miles.
The old market town of St Austell, just a mile or two from the south coast, is famous as the historic centre of the china clay mining industry. Today, its many beaches and its sub-tropical gardens provide plenty to see and do. The wonderful Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project are perfect for a family day out, and a little further afield Caerhays Castle provides a stunning backdrop to Porthluny Cove. On the edge of town, St Austell Brewery offers tours of the Victorian brewing equipment and a chance to sample the local beer, and for those looking for surf and sand, St Austell Bay has several beaches to choose from - Porthpean, Carlyon Bay, Pentewan, Polkerris - the last offering a variety of water-sports. As well as a small shingle beach, Charlestown, a pretty, historic port, often has wooden sailing ships in the harbour, and is popular as a film location. A little further afield are Fowey and its beautiful estuary to the east and the fishing port of Mevagissey to the west. With lots to do and something to keep the whole family entertained, St Austell is a great year-round destination.