St Austell is the gateway to some of Cornwall’s biggest attractions. Within a few miles you’ll find the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Georgian harbour at Charlestown and a string of south-coast beaches. Here are the best things to do in and around St Austell.

Top things to do in St Austell

• The Eden Project. Two vast biomes in a former clay pit, home to rainforest and Mediterranean plants, plus gardens, events and, in winter, an ice rink and Christmas light trail. Read our full Eden Project guide.
• Charlestown. A beautifully preserved Georgian harbour, often home to tall ships, that has appeared in films and in the BBC’s Poldark. There are cafés, pubs and a shipwreck museum.
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Restored Victorian gardens near Mevagissey, with jungle valleys, a rope bridge, productive kitchen gardens and the famous Mud Maid sculpture.
• Wheal Martyn Clay Works. A museum and country park telling the story of the china clay industry that shaped St Austell, with woodland trails and a giant waterwheel.
• Mevagissey. A busy working fishing harbour with narrow streets, fish and chips and boat trips, about 5 miles south.
• St Austell Brewery. One of Cornwall’s best-known breweries, with a visitor centre and tours in the town.

Beaches near St Austell

• Carlyon Bay: a long sandy beach below the Carlyon Bay Hotel.
• Par Sands: wide, flat and family-friendly, with easy parking.
• Pentewan Sands: a big sandy beach with a holiday park, near the start of the Pentewan Valley cycle trail.
• Polkerris: a small, sheltered cove with a harbour wall and beach café.
• Porthpean: a pretty local beach just south of Charlestown.

Family days out

As well as Eden and Heligan, families can cycle the mostly flat Pentewan Valley Trail from St Austell to the sea, or stay on a farm such as Bosinver Farm. For more ideas see family-friendly activities in Cornwall. Adventurous visitors can try Spearfishing UK.

Things to do in St Austell when it rains

Head indoors to the Eden Project biomes, Wheal Martyn Clay Works, the Charlestown Shipwreck & Heritage Centre or a brewery tour. More rainy-day ideas are in fun things to do in Cornwall.

Christmas near St Austell

In winter Eden runs an ice rink and Christmas light trail, Heligan hosts its Night Garden light trail and Charlestown often holds festive markets. See our Christmas in Cornwall 2026 guide for dates.

Where to stay near St Austell

Choose from the clifftop Carlyon Bay Hotel, Spa & Golf, family-friendly Bosinver Farm cottages, harbourside inns at Charlestown and Mevagissey, or holiday parks near Pentewan. See where to stay in Cornwall.

Things to do near St Austell

• Fowey and Polruan, about 20 minutes east.
• Lostwithiel and Restormel Castle.
• Truro, Cornwall’s cathedral city, about 30 minutes west.
• 52 things to do in Cornwall for more inspiration.

Getting to St Austell

St Austell is on the main railway line from London Paddington, and buses run from the station to Eden, Charlestown and Mevagissey. By road it is on the A390, around 20 minutes from the A30.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Austell worth visiting?

Yes. St Austell is the base for some of Cornwall’s best attractions, including the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Charlestown harbour, with beaches close by.

How far is the Eden Project from St Austell?

The Eden Project is about 3 miles from St Austell, around 10 minutes by car, with buses from St Austell station.

What is St Austell famous for?

St Austell is famous for china clay mining, which created the landscape where the Eden Project now sits, and for St Austell Brewery.

What is there to do in Charlestown?

Charlestown has a Georgian harbour often visited by tall ships, a shipwreck and heritage centre, a beach, pubs and cafés. It has been used as a filming location for Poldark.

What are the best beaches near St Austell?

Popular beaches include Carlyon Bay, Par Sands, Pentewan Sands, Porthpean and Polkerris.