Set in 26 acres of grounds and based around two former Victorian china clay works, Wheal Martyn tells the story of Cornwall’s billion-pound china clay industry.
Interpretation panels feature throughout the museum, which illustrate how Cornwall’s Clay Country shaped the lives, economy and local landscape. Visitors can learn how the region’s largest mining industry formed the lives of those who lived and worked in this area over a period of 250 years.
Situated near to St Austell, and with a unique backdrop historically known as the ‘White Pyramids’, Wheal Martyn features the UK’s only china clay mining museum. Visitors can get under the skin of Cornwall’s mining heritage at the on-site exhibition and museum, which brings the story to life through a vast collection of artefacts and archives, as well as historic objects, machinery and photographs.
A fascinating family-friendly venue, children can enjoy exploring the museum and its grounds, and there’s plenty to capture their imaginations, including a large waterwheel, outdoor play area and vintage trucks. There are also lots of trails and walks to experience, and keen birdwatchers can spot the various species of birds that exist in these spectacular grounds.
The on-site cafe serves up homemade and locally sourced fresh food, and features a children’s menu which includes a selection of small meals which they can tuck into before burning off some energy in the children’s area.
Take a trip to this one-off attraction and immerse yourself in a story which has completely transformed the local area. For more information, visit http://www.wheal-martyn.com/.
Community, Cornish & Heritage
Mon 3rd Aug, 2026 — Mon 5th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£0 — £0
Community, Cornish & Heritage, Live Music
Thu 8th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£0 — £15
Art, Cornish & Heritage
Sat 1st Aug, 2026 — Thu 8th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Community
Mon 14th Sep, 2026 — Mon 12th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£0 — £0
Art, Family, Workshops
Sat 19th Sep, 2026 — Thu 15th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£45 — £45
Community, Food & Drink
Thu 15th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£10 — £10
Community
Fri 7th Aug, 2026 — Fri 16th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£0 — £0
Community
Tue 4th Aug, 2026 — Tue 20th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£0 — £0
Community
Sun 30th Aug, 2026 — Sun 25th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Art, Family, Workshops
Mon 3rd Aug, 2026 — Fri 30th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Art, Family, Workshops
Mon 26th Oct, 2026 — Fri 30th Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Art, Family, Workshops
Sat 31st Oct, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£25 — £25
Community, Family, Outdoor
Sat 24th Oct, 2026 — Mon 2nd Nov, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Live Music
Thu 5th Nov, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£0 — £15
Art, Christmas, Family, Workshops
Sat 7th Nov, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£15 — £15
Christmas, Community, Family, Shopping
Sat 14th Nov, 2026 — Sun 15th Nov, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Art, Cornish & Heritage, Family, Workshops
Mon 16th Nov, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£45 — £45
Art, Family, Workshops
Sun 22nd Nov, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£12 — £12
Art, Christmas, Family, Workshops
Sat 14th Nov, 2026 — Wed 25th Nov, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
Art, Christmas, Family, Workshops
Thu 3rd Dec, 2026
Wheal Martyn, St Austell
£30 — £30
