Cornwall in England is a big town that has numerous small villages in its vicinity and St Austell is another addition to its long list of towns to visit in St. Austell. Often known as the gem of Cornwall, this quaint little old market town is located at a distance of just a few miles from the very famous Bodmin city.
It is crucial to know that St. Austell was just a mining town until the 18th century. Later, when the china clay was discovered here, it turned out to become a considerably popular and influential market town.
Apart from being a famous market town, St Austell is also known for its stunning beaches that make it a must-visit place in Cornwall for all nature lovers. Along with that, the town also provides a rich insight into the region’s history and culture through its art galleries, museums, castles, and more.
With that being said, there are plenty of amazing things to do in St. Austell, Cornwall. as a part of England tourism, that will keep you on your foot throughout your tour. Below we’ve meticulously created a list of top things to do in St. Austell to help you plan an ultimate vacation.
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A List of Best Things to do in St Austell
- Where to Stay in St Austell
- Best Time to Visit St Austell
- Things to Do in St Austell
- Before You Leave for St Austell
- What to Pack for Your Trip to St Austell
- What is the Best Travel Insurance
Best Time to Visit St Austell
Just like rest any other England city such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, or Liverpool, the weather in St Austell, Cornwall also varies and is unpredictable throughout the year. The best time to visit the town is the month of May and June. The weather during this time remains warm and sunny to explore St Austell. However, rain is constant when it comes to UK’s climate. So, make sure to pack some layers for unpredictable rain.
The summer season which begins in March is the peak time when a huge footfall of tourists lands in St Austell. If you want to stay away from the crowd and packed tourist attractions, this is not the time to plan a trip and indulge in the best things to do in St Austell.
Another pleasant month to visit the town of St Austell is September. This is the time when the weather starts to turn, and hence, some days can be sunny and pleasant. Whereas, in a few days, it will be all stormy.
In winter, you are unlikely to see snow. The weather during this time is wet, stormy, and windy. As a result, many attraction also remains shut during this time. So, it is not recommended to plan your St Austell trip in the winter season.
Things to Do in St Austell
Now, let’s have a look at some of the best things that you can do and indulge in while vacationing in St Austell, Cornwall.
Eden Project
Eden Project is probably the biggest and the most popular tourist site in Cornwall. Just a few miles from St Austell, Eden Project is a whole futuristic setting. It consists of biomes that are constructed into the slopes of an old clay pit.
Do not make the mistake to consider Eden Project mere a tourist site. As the name itself says, it’s a project which also gives a strong message about environmental protection. The project is run by an educational charity, Eden Trust.
The main attractions here are the biomes that are known as the huge greenhouses with the longest one being 787 feet long and 180 feet high. These biomes are used for stimulating the tropical rainforest climate, and hence, include plants and trees from regions of Africa, Asia, South America, and Australia.
Once you are done exploring the attraction, there is also a small cafe to sit and relax for a while having a cup of coffee.
Restormel Castle
Another renowned attraction located outside of St Austell is Restormel Castle. For a fact, it is one of the four main Norman Castles of Cornwall. However, it is standing in ruins and the present construction was built in the 13th century.
From the Restormel Castel, you can capture and savour the spectacular views across the valley of the Fowey River. Being an architectural grandeur, the ruins of the castle take you back to its rich history.
The architecture includes high windows, a large fireplace, a great hall, and whatnot. Besides, the region is also famous for its rich wildlife and birds and remains adorned with spring flowers and plants all year round.
If you are lucky enough, you can spot Black Pheasant and Tetraphasis Obscurus in the woodland located nearby to this castle.
Hidden Valley Gardens
Sprawling over an area of 3 acres of land, Hidden Valley Garden is an award-winning garden located in a secluded valley in the suburbs of St Austell. You must escape to this beautiful for a lovely time far from the hustle and bustle.
Despite not being so huge in space, this garden has a rich floral species within its complex. Not just this, the garden also has many themes including colourful herbaceous and cottage garden beds, a Mediterranean area, and an iris garden.
In the summer season, the key attraction of the garden is the hot border which is all about the scorching colours. The view of the border bed with orange and sizzling red dahlias and sunflowers mingling well with purple foliage plants, phormiums, and Rubra grass.
If that’s not enough to satiate the nature lover inside you, well, the place is also dotted with pond wildlife along with the dancing butterflies adding up a charm to the entire setting.
Not just for nature lovers, but Hidden Valley Gardens is also an ideal attraction for shutterbugs and Instagrammers who want to capture some amazing clicks for their gram and other social media platforms.
Tregrehan Garden
Another beautiful tourist attraction which is worth all effort on your trip to St Austell is Tregrehan Garden. This tourist site dates back to the 18th century and is a woodland garden having a country house within its vicinity.
It is dotted with pons, huge trees, walled gardens, winding paths, and much more. Along with that, Tregrehan Garden also has various exotic plants besides traditional trees and plants.
Visiting Tregrehan Garden is one of the best St Austell things to do for a peaceful time amidst the surreal natural beauty of plants and trees.
Porthpean Beach
Situated near St Austell, Porthpean Beach is one of the must-see tourist attractions in Cornwall. Beautifully adorned with white sand and crystal clear water, Porthpean Beach is a sheltered beach.
It is a popular tourist place and is usually packed with families. And while enjoying your time here, you can also indulge in different watersports such as swimming, windsurfing, and sailing.
The best thing about Porthpean Beach is that it is also dog-friendly which means you can either bring your four-legged friend with you or can expect to see many playful paws being the happiest soul here at Porthpean Beach.
To proffer you an ultimate experience and a time filled with fun, there is even a snack bar that takes care of your hunger while you enjoy your time here at Porthpean Beach.
Mevagissey
Just 3 miles south of St Austell, Mevagissey is a beautiful fishing village which was once the centre of the pilchard fishing industry of Cornwall. It still has an oversized harbour which still takes care of the activities in the town.
While it is still a working harbour that always has a few dozen of fishing boats, there are also three-storey harbourside buildings that today house shops and accommodation options for tourists.
You can visit Mevagissey for an ultimate boat trip. Besides, you can also mooch around the harbour and village. There are twin harbours here that include an outer and inner section with a long pier to take a leisure stroll.
Apart from that, there is also a maze of narrow streets beyond the harbourfront which is home to plenty of cafes, pubs, shops, and galleries. And if you are here at this place till the evening, you will also get some great options for seafood including the locally caught lobster, mackerel, and scallops.
St Austell Brewery
A visit to St Austell is incomplete without visiting St Austell Brewery. It was founded in the year 1851 by Walter Hicks. At present, the brewery owns more than 150 pubs and various hotels across Cornwall and Devon.
If it is raining outside then visiting St Austell Brewery is one of the best things to do in St Austell in the rain and kill a couple of hours. Such is the significance of this place that it is even known to create the most popular beers in Cornwall and even sells more than 50000 barrels.
The brewery is strategically located at a place which overlooks the town and offers an amazing time to its visitors. In the 150 years of its history, neither the location has changed nor the brewing process.
There is even a visitor’s centre that talks about the interesting story of Walter Hicks and even provides guided tours around the brewery. There is a Victorian Brewhouse which is the place where much of the beer is produced.
Along with that, there is a Cask Racking Plant where ales are barreled of premium quality. Cooper’s Workshop is another highlight of this place which focuses on how things were done in history.
The Clay Trails
If you are looking to explore the rural scenery around St Austell, the Clay Trails is your go-to thing to do. These trails are traffic-free and are ideal for cyclists, horse riders, and even walkers. It allows you to explore the countryside of the region which has been built and shaped by the china clay mining industry for more than 250 years.
There are farms and rolling hills along with clay tips forming steep-sided, mini mountains. Not just this, there are also deep aquamarine lakes that are the key highlights of the region and are known as the Cornish Alps.
There are 9 routes to explore the Clay Trails along with many smaller interlinking linking paths. Amongst all the trails, the most sought-after and accessible one is Pentewan Trail.
Another easier-to-cover trail is the Green Corridor which begins from Tremena Gardens in St Austell to the China Clay Country Park at Wheal Martyn. Being a couple of miles long, it is a gently sloping route and covers some of the areas decaying industrial heritage.
Coast Path
A 10-mile-long coastal path between Mevagissey and Par, the Coast Path is a beautiful way to see this part of the coast. The section includes some of the most famous beaches of St Austell Bay.
The route also takes you to the beautiful countryside between St Austell and Roseland Peninsula. Along the route, there are also a number of highlights. Hence, you can easily spend half a day here.
The first stop is Pentewan which is known for its sandy, wide beaches. This is one of the most peaceful tourist spots in the region where you can actually spend some quality time.
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Lost Gardens of Heligan is another Cornish garden which is a must-visit in every sense and aspect. This tourist attraction is known as the Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Ground. It is well set on winding paths that were laid down two centuries ago.
You can enjoy a jungle experience where you will get to pass through valleys and watercourses that are adorned by intimate pathways with sub-tropical plantings. This beautiful garden houses rich foliage, gigantic rhubarb, bamboo tunnels, and bananas.
The Giant’s Head, Mud Maid and Grey Lady is the key highlight at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. You can also discover the woodland walk to the surreal singing of birds. In general terms, Heligan is more than just a restored garden.
It comes with a surreal atmosphere that is nothing less than an inspiration for many and caters to an array of wildlife and horticultural interests. This 200 acre of garden is not just only a popular tourist spot but also a haven for shutterbugs to show off their skills and capture some amazing shots.
Before You Leave for Cornwall
Before you head off on your trip to Cornwall, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what travel insurance to book.How Do I Get to Cornwall?
Cornwall is located in the southwestern tip of England. It is easily reachable by public transport, including train and bus, with routes that take you from major cities directly to Truro. If you are flying into the country, the closest airport will be Newquay Airport, however, you can still easily reach The Cornwall by bus and train from any other part of the country.Where to Stay in Cornwall?
What Should I Pack for Cornwall?
What you need to pack for Cornwall will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and freezing rain.
The temperatures generally vary from 5 oC to 15 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, winds and warmer temperature. There are some rainy days, with maybe 10 in 16 days receiving rainfall, which might be more comfortable to have rain jacket with yourself.
During the Summer months in Cornwall, temperatures tend to range from 12oC to 19oC, with some days topping 22oC.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Cornwall, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance?
I know tavel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a guide to The Best Things to do in St Austell. If you have visited Cornwall recently, let us know what you thought of the activities and beautiful buildings in the area. If you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own English adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our England content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
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