St Austell

Travel Guide

St Austell which includes signage and a city
Lost Gardens of Heligan showing a garden
St Austell showing heritage architecture
Lost Gardens of Heligan featuring a garden
St Austell
This busy market town is a great place for starting your exploration of some of Cornwall’s prettiest beaches. 

St. Austell stands in front of the white peaks of the Cornish Alps, towering clay tips made of excavation waste from the town’s china clay industry. The town’s long history stretches back to the 13th century. Enjoy the golden sand beaches of St. Austell Bay, explore a spectacular town garden and learn about local china clay excavation history.

The Eden Project, set in a former china clay pit, is a remarkable garden representing three climate zones. Plants from temperate zones are outdoors, while plants, insects and birds from other zones are housed in geodesic domes. Climb to the viewing platform above the treetops in the Rainforest Biome and note the fascinating sculptures in the outdoor garden.

Check out the 19th-century St. Austell Market House, which once housed the town’s fire station, town hall and police cells. The building’s timbered roof, made from yellow pine was, at the time it was built, the largest unsupported span of any roof in Britain. During summer, the building houses the St. Austell Town Museum, a small collection dedicated to the town’s history. Look for an early 20th-century Cornish stove from the 1900s, as well as film posters dating back to the building’s brief tenure as a picture house.

Learn more about the town’s history of china clay production in the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum. Here, you’ll find a visitor platform overlooking a working china clay pit, as well as nature trails around the museum.

Tour the St. Austell Brewery, which was founded in 1851 by Walter Hicks. Learn about traditional brewing processing and sample St. Austell beers at Hicks Bar after the tour.

Just outside St. Austell are a number of lovely beaches. See the rock pools of popular Porthpean Beach or enjoy watching ducks and wildfowl in the pond at Par Sands.

St. Austell is located close to the east coast of Cornwall, 12 miles (19 kilometres) south of Bodmin. Ride the bus or train here from London. If you’re driving, take roads from Exeter or Plymouth.

The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate
The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate
4 out of 5
Pentewan Road, St Austell, England
The price is S$136 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
S$136
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (963 reviews)
"Hotel provided complimentary lunch when i was not happy with my room. Very good customer service and care."

Reviewed on 28 Feb,2025

The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate
Pier House
Pier House
3.5 out of 5
Harbour Front, Charlestown, St Austell, England
The price is S$218 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$218
includes taxes & fees
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star beach B&B in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Eden Project and Charlestown ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (311 reviews)
"Third time staying at The Pier House and it still excels. Staff are always fantastic, food is great and the accommodation is perfect. I’ll be back again for another stay."

Reviewed on 23 Feb,2025

Pier House
Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
CORNWALL SERVICES, VICTORIA ROCHE, St Austell, England
Fully refundable
The price is S$107 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
S$107
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this hotel in St Austell. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (217 reviews)
Great stay!
"The team were fantastic, from check in to throughout my stay! The room was spacious and had everything i needed. The place smelt incredible too"

Reviewed on 10 Feb,2025

Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pochin House Collections
Pochin House Collections
4 out of 5
Pochin Drive, St Austell, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in St Austell. Enjoy free parking and an indoor tennis court. Popular attractions Eden Project and St Austell Brewery are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (23 reviews)
"Lots of instruction from the owner on how to get in and maintain the property etc. Property is very spacious and well maintained and has a beautiful view. Excellent communication from the owner too. Maybe would have liked to see some basics supplied such as tea and long life milk. Also as a tall ..."

Reviewed on 3 Oct,2024

Pochin House Collections
Antonia's Pearls
Antonia's Pearls
4 out of 5
Charlestown Harbour, St Austell, England
Stay at this 4-star beach villa in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Popular attractions Eden Project and Charlestown Harbour are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
Peaceful Retreat
"This property is truly a gem and so is the little town of Charleston. The Studio is immaculately maintained and comfortable - you can feel the owners’ love and effort put into maintaining it, which is so rare to come by these days. Floors, bathroom and surfaces were spotless. The bed was warm and ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jun,2024

Antonia's Pearls
Sea Breeze Apartment Near the Eden Project
Sea Breeze Apartment Near the Eden Project
3 out of 5
12 Pochin House, Carclaze Road, St Austell, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in St Austell. Enjoy free parking, a pool table, and a computer station. Popular attractions Eden Project and St Austell Brewery ...
10/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
"Lovely spacious property which is very clean with great views."

Reviewed on 1 Oct,2024

Sea Breeze Apartment Near the Eden Project
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of St Austell

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
27
5 - Excellent 22%
4 - Good
63
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
30
3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Tom

A lovely part of the British Isles. Would visit again.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Parking very reasonable cost. Town centre compact and has everything you need.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A great base to explore Cornwall (and they have a Mary’s pasty shop, perfect!)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very interesting and nice area, I’ll be back.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

St Austell seemed really lovely but unfortunately there was not much to do

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Needs a bit of serious investment