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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

A picture of Cowes

Cowes

in the county of Isle of Wight

Modern temple, Chorley

Chorley

in the county of Lancashire

Pictures of St Austell

in the county of Cornwall

About St Austell

One of the blessings of St. Austell, is its parish church, a glorious structure that has a beautiful carved 15th-century tower built of local yellow stone. The tower has deeply carved niches inset with stone figures, it is an inspiring sight. The interior of the church is a source of fascination with many treasures and reminders of its ancient past.

China clay is extracted and worked in this area and the white 'heaps' to be seen on the fringe of the town are naught but spoil-heaps of quartz and sand from the quarries. The clay is chiefly used for the making of porcelain and is shipped world-wide. On the site of an old clay works from the 19th-century is a museum that tells of the history of the industry. The site has been restored to it's original state and of the equipment on view is an 18ft water-wheel. It is well worth visiting for much of the history of St.Austell lies in its clay industry.

As you would imagine, the town stands on a steep slope and with a fine network of narrow streets and interesting passage-ways along which ancient houses and cottages cling together, it is easy to see why tales of smuggling abound throughout the area. It is said that booty from shipwrecks was carried down the narrow streets and quickly passed from one cottage to another.

The Town and Market Hall is an italianate granite building which dates 1844. Other interesting features in the town include the Market House of 1791, The White Hart Hotel which dates 18th-century and the Megagew Stone in Fore Street, and the Menacuddle Holy Well. The former Quaker Meeting House was built in 1829.

In historic terms the town of St.Austell was not noted until the mid-12th-century and in the middle ages was known to have a population of only a few hundred. To-day, is vastly different, St.Austell is a lively place which all during the year, especially the summer months, is thronged with visitors from England and beyond. They come to experience the delights of the town and for the beautiful bay which takes its name from the town. It is an area of sandy bays, cliffs and tiny hamlets. The beaches offer soft sand on which to relax and soak up the sun. A receeding tide reveals little rock pools where children search for crabs and shells. It is all so very pleasant and when you tire of the beach there are many places to explore. The Eden Project is close-by, so too is the Wheal Martyn Heritage centre, and The Lost Gardens of Heligan to name but a few attractions in this famous region. Best of all though, is the locally caught fresh fish and sea-food to be found in nearly all the pubs and inns along the coast - a rare treat and not to be missed.

Recommended towns & villages near St Austell

Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall 2004

Charlestown (121 Pictures) in the county of Cornwall

(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction E of St Austell)

This lovely little port hugs the rugged south Cornish coast overlooking picturesque St. Austell Bay...

Tide's Out

Mevagissey (250 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S of St Austell)

One of a ribbon of picturesque fishing villages dotting the fabled Cornish coastline. Mevagissey has ancient buildings flanking steep and extremely narrow streets which during.....

Fowey Estuary

Fowey (101 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction E of St Austell)

The picturesque harbour town of Fowey has a history as colourful as some of the pretty boats sailing in and out of its waters...

Portloe

Portloe (5 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction SW of St Austell)

"One of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages" - Sir John Betjeman (famous poet 1906-1984)..

Bodmin jail

Bodmin (130 Pictures) in the county of Cornwall

(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction N of St Austell)

Historically fascinating and naturally beautiful, this area of North Cornwall has so much to offer. Equidistant from both the north and south coasts, Bodmin is an excellent base.....

All towns & villages in Cornwall
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Nearby attractions..

Japanese Garden at Pine Lodge Gardens, St Austell, Cornwall

Pine Lodge Gardens (2 Pictures)

(1.8 miles, 2.8 km, direction E)

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Eden -  Tropical Biome

The Eden Project (182 Pictures)

(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction NE)

This is a joyous celebration of precious plant life established as a millennium project to mark the birth of the 21st century. .....

Mud Maid in the Lost Garden of Heligan, Cornwall

Lost Gardens of Heligan (148 Pictures)

(3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction S)

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No picture available

World of Model Railways

(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction S)

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St. Catherine's Castle, Fowey, Cornwall

St. Catherine's Castle (18 Pictures)

(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)

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A picture of Trewithen Gardens, near Truro, Cornwall

Trewithen Gardens (24 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction SW)

Trewithen is a glorious 18th-century house built by Thomas Edwards and decorated in Rococo style. It forms a backdrop for.....

Restormel Castle.

Restormel Castle (45 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NE)

Built around 1300, once home to Edward, the Black Prince, the great circular shell-keep survives in good condition and is the.....


All attractions in St Austell
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