St Austell Bay Charlestown Polkerris Carlyon Bay

Historic sites, - sheltered beaches and inviting waters

The great sweep of St Austell Bay and its hinterland play host to a vivid range of scenery, spectacle and activity, compounded by a location which makes it a natural touring centre, within an hours drive of most major attractions in the county.

St Austell itself is the meeting point of old and new Cornwall, of ancient, narrow streets and smart pedestrian precincts with fine shops. Its industry of china clay goes back to William Cookworthys discovery at St Stephen-in-Brannel in 1748 the development of which can be seen at the Wheal Martyn Museum or followed in industrial heritage tours by car

A drive north will take you to Roche, noted for its towering rock with the chapel of St Michael built into the summit, a natural sound stage for the Cornish Gorsedd celebrating a pre-Christian oral tradition.

Nearby, is the bijou port of Charlestown, little changed since its completion in 1795 by the brilliant local entrepreneur, Charles Rashleigh. Its Shipwreck and Heritage Centre, built over the old china clay dry, charts a fascinating 200 year history of fishing, wrecking, mining and migration to North America. On display in the harbour you will find traditional square rigged sailing ships, and at various times, famous visiting tall ships, aboard which you can discover a world from many years ago.

Charlestown, Polkerris, Carlyon Bay

Charlestown has its own beach and St Austell Bay also offers outstanding cliff and coastal scenery with beaches at Carlyon Bay, Porthpean, Pentewan and Par where you will find a lake whose many species of bird make it a naturalist s paradise. Carlyon Bay is also the home of Cornish Leisure World, with a host of recreational facilities. Across the water, tucked into the hillside between Par and Fowey is the small, picturesque harbour of Polkerris with its sandy beach from where you can hire a boat or pedaloe and explore the Bay.

Things to see and do:

• The Family Owned St
  Austell Brewery And Visitor Centre
• Charlestown
  Shipwreck And Heritage Centre
• The Mid-Cornwall Galleries
• Roche
  Rock
• Wheal Martyn Museum
• Holy Trinity Parish Church In St Austell
• St
  Austell Market House Automobilia St Stephen Kids Kingdom Indoor Fun For The
  Under 12 s Pentewan Cycle Trail
• The Pyramids Of Cornwall (Industrial
  Heritage Tour Using Your Own Car)
• Polkyth Leisure Centre And Swimming Pool
  For Indoor Sport And Fitness
• Look Around An Historic Sailing Ship In Charlestown Harbour
• Discover St Austell Bay on
  Foot, Using the Coast and Inland Pathways
• Visit Local Theatre Productions at
  St Austell Arts Centre
• Play Golf At St Austell (18 Holes), Carlyon Bay (18
  Holes) Or Porthpean (9 Holes - 18 from Spring 97)
• Visit Cornish Leisure World