St Austell

Travel Guide

St Austell featuring signage and a city
Lost Gardens of Heligan showing a park
St Austell which includes heritage architecture
Lost Gardens of Heligan which includes a garden
Lost Gardens of Heligan which includes wildflowers and flowers

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 theSt. 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 ducksandwildfowl in thepond at Par Sands.

St. Austell is located close to the east coast of Cornwall, 12 miles (19 kilometers) 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$99 nightly
The price is $119 total per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
$119 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Total with taxes and fees
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. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"There was a big stain on the carpet & no plugs near the bed but it was a lovely large room & balcony which would have been great if the weather was dry. I read that the grounds were closed but guessing they will be beautiful when it’s not raining. Arrived too late to use the spa & decided not to ..."

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2025

The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate
Carlyon Bay Hotel

Carlyon Bay Hotel

4 out of 5
Sea Road, St Austell, England
$170 nightly
The price is $205 total per night from Oct 3 to Oct 4
$205 total
Oct 3 - Oct 4
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (431 reviews)
"Spa and gym lovely. Top tier biscuits available in room"

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2025

Carlyon Bay Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction by IHG

2.5 out of 5
CORNWALL SERVICES, VICTORIA ROCHE, St Austell, England
Fully refundable
$84 nightly
The price is $101 total per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
$101 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Total with taxes and fees
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! (260 reviews)
"Excellent place for a three night stay and convenient for New Quay airport"

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction by IHG
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.
Pinetum Garden Cottages

Pinetum Garden Cottages

3.5 out of 5
Holmbush Rd, St Austell, England
Stay at this 3.5-star vacation home in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Eden Project and Pinetum Park ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Quirky perfect for plant/garden and nature lovers!
"What an amazing place! Set in beautiful gardens and full of wildlife! Beautiful accommodation and so nice to be able to walk around all the gardens! The Japanese garden was our favourite! Also the cakes and coffee in the cafe are lovely!"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Pinetum Garden Cottages
Stunning Sea/Harbour Views in a Beautiful Stone Built Cottage - Village Location

Stunning Sea/Harbour Views in a Beautiful Stone Built Cottage - Village Location

St Austell
Book a stay at this family-friendly cottage in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mevagissey Model Railway and ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (133 reviews)
"Wonderful. Clean and very comfortable. A really good place to stay and enjoy a lovely holiday."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Stunning Sea/Harbour Views in a Beautiful Stone Built Cottage - Village Location
Luxurious Cornish Holiday let, 4 min stroll to Pentewan beach, village setting.

Luxurious Cornish Holiday let, 4 min stroll to Pentewan beach, village setting.

Pentewan
Stay at this apartment in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (180 reviews)
"Fabulous quiet location with parking, superb hosts, a very short walk to the beach and an even shorter walk to the friendly local pub which served excellent food. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2025

Luxurious Cornish Holiday let, 4 min stroll to Pentewan beach, village setting.
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.

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Reviews of St Austell

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 36%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 27%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 18%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Lupe

Beautiful scenery, I had an water view. A bit musty smelling, had to open windows to air out the room. Wish I would have known about dress attire for dining room.

3/5 - Okay

PStott

We didn't intend going into St Austell itself. However, we did watch the Flying Scotsman going through.

Cities near St Austell

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