Cornish History The Heritage Trail

The Heritage Trail will rarely take you far from the beauty of St Austell Bay. For many visitors the Bay's sandy beaches; smuggler's coves; miniature harbours and sea-carved cliffs are enough - yet there is more, much more, to be discovered here.

The Heritage Trail includes attractions which illustrate the region's rich and colourful past and explains many of its present-day activities. Follow the Trail and history will come alive for you in surroundings to delight all who have time to pause awhile and enjoy what is on offer.

Walk the beautiful valley of Luxulyan, dominated by the magnificent Treffry viaduct. Discover for yourself traces of an industry that once provided employment for thousands in these attractive woodlands. In the Luxulyan museum are relics of years of man's endeavours in this secluded place.

Travel on to Fowey and pay a call on another fascinating museum. Outside, pause to enjoy the harbour. Cornishmen will tell you this is the most beautiful in the land. From this yachtsman's paradise ships carry cargoes of China Clay to the industrial centres of the world.

Around the fringes of St Austell Bay many fine ships have come to grief. Learn something of them in the Charlestown Shipwreck Centre. While you are here buy a souvenir that might have lain in the hold of a decaying ship for more than two centuries.

Nearby is Charlestown, one of the smallest harbours in the country. If you are fortunate you may find a ship moored here that took part in one of your favourite period television series.

Staying with the sea, visit Mevagissey's Museum, tucked away on the quayside of this working fishing port. Mevagissey's narrow alleyways, and low, overhanging eaves have foiled many a press gang and revenue officer.

The sea around the bay provides a never-failing source of interest and enjoyment, but turn your back upon it for a while. A few miles inland, at Ruddlemoor, in the shadow of the Clay mountains discover the reason why man has changed the skyline of the country hereabouts. At the Wheal Martyn (Museum of the China Clay Country) learn the secrets of winning China Clay from the ground, or take a tour from here with the ÔCornwall of Mine', and follow the progress of China Clay through its many processes to the final product, used in a wide variety of everyday commodities.

This is the industry which took over from tin mining. The story of the discovery and exploitation of China Clay is as romantic, in its own way, as that of the age old industry it replaced.

What better place to end your tour of discovery than St Austell Brewery, stockists of fine wines and makers of a truly Cornish brew for almost 150 years.

Whatever your interests, no matter how varied your tastes, you will satisfy them on the St Austell Bay Heritage Trail.

You will also leave Cornwall with a better understanding of the area and all it has to offer. If you do not have time to take it all in ...... well, there is always next year!

INFORMATION

To assist you with the completion of the Heritage Trail, the following information may be of use.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Western National Bus Services

For information, times and fares, contact: 01208 79898

PARKING

Some of the Heritage Sites within the trail provide parking spaces. For those that are unable to do so, there are generally parking spaces nearby within the village or town.

WALKING

The St Austell Bay area is a great provider of walking routes, both inland and coastal. The Saints Way is a coast to coast footpath running from Padstow to Fowey, and was originally an alternative route to the dangerous sea route around Lands End. A brochure of the Saints Way Walk is available from the Tourism  Department.

ACTIVITIES

There are a variety of alternative activities available within South Restormel including boating, horse riding, golf, fishing and gliding. For further information contact the Tourist Information Centres, or obtain a mini-guide.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Gardens.

The gardens along the South Coast are exceptional due to the early springs and long summers. It is always worth a visit to any of the gardens listed below.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Mevagissey. Open all year. Contact: 01726 844157

Tregrehan, Par. Open from Mid March -end of June and September. Contact: 01726 814389

Trewithen, Nr. Probus. Open March -September. Contact: 01726 882763

Historic Attractions.

Lanhydrock House and Gardens. A National Trust property. Open: April -October, except Bank Holiday Mondays. Contact: 01208 73320

Restormel Castle. An English Heritage property. Lostwithiel. Open April - October. Contact: 01208 872687

Caerhays Castle, Caerhays. Open at certain times throughout the year.

Contact: 01872 501144

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you require further information regarding any of the Heritage Sites involved in this publication, please contact the number provided on each page.

For general information on the St Austell Bay area, the Tourist Information Centre is the best option. They can provide a wealth of information on the area and events and various publications, maps, booklets and timetables.

Restormel has five Tourist Information Centres which are:

Fowey: The Ticket Shop, 5 South Street, Fowey, PL23 1AR. (01726) 833616

St Austell: By-Pass Service Station, Southbourne Road, St Austell, PL25 4RS. (01726) 879500

Newquay: Marcus Hill, Newquay, TR7 1BD. (01637) 854020

Lostwithiel: Community Centre, Liddicoat Road, Lostwithiel. (01208) 872207

Mevagissey: St George's Square, Mevagissey, St Austell, PL26 6UB. (01726) 844857

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Restormel's Tourism  Department produces  a number of publications that may be of interest, including:

The official Guides for the Cornish Riviera and Newquay

Newquay Mini Guide

Newquay CD Rom

Cornish Riviera CD Rom

The Saints' Way Walk

For the above publications and further information, contact:

The Tourism  Department, Restormel Borough Council, Marcus Hill, Newquay, TR7 1AF

Tel:  01637 854000