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
$135 nightly
The price is $161 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$161 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes 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. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"lovely location, wish we stayed longer, comfortable room, although a bit noisy pitside die to aircons or an extractor fan. the spa was delightful. friendly helpful staff, easy to park"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate
Carlyon Bay Hotel
Carlyon Bay Hotel
4 out of 5
Sea Road, St Austell, England
$203 nightly
The price is $244 total per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
$244 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
Total includes 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! (405 reviews)
"Just what a hotel should be like. Great area, great service, food was lovely! Room was good, shower brilliant and very clean overall. Great service, highly recommend!"

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2025

Carlyon Bay Hotel
The Waterwheel Inn
The Waterwheel Inn
3 out of 5
Bodmin Road, Trethowel, St Austell, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$154 nightly
The price is $185 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$185 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star inn in St Austell. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (194 reviews)
Nice staff and very comfortable
"The beds were very comfortable and the garden behind the dining area was excellent. Very tropical with ponds and waterfalls. Wpulf definitely recommend."

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

The Waterwheel Inn
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! (1 review)
A special, beautiful and peaceful place.
"Pinetum is a wonderful place- we are so thrilled to have found it. It far exceeded our expectations and we look forward to returning for another peaceful few days. Thank you David for your welcome"

Reviewed on May 12, 2025

Pinetum Garden Cottages
Pochin House Collections
Pochin House Collections
4 out of 5
Pochin Drive, St Austell, England
Stay at this 4-star property in St Austell. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Eden Project and St Austell Brewery are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (31 reviews)
"Lovely, modern, spacious apartment. Catered for everything, towels, tea towels, dishwasher tablets, even cling film! Only downside was that the beds weren’t the most comfortable but stunning view. Great communication from host too."

Reviewed on May 31, 2025

Pochin House Collections
1st Floor Apartment With Outstanding Sea Views With Access To Look-Out Platform
1st Floor Apartment With Outstanding Sea Views With Access To Look-Out Platform
Mevagissey
Stay at this apartment in St Austell. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Polkirt Beach and Mevagissey Aquarium are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
Great apartment fabulous views
"Apartment good standard and excellent location to walk into Mevagissy.A favourite property of ours to stay in when in Cornwall."

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2025

1st Floor Apartment With Outstanding Sea Views With Access To Look-Out Platform
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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Things to do

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