Mining Heritage
In the 18th Century, the town of St Austell prospered from the 'white
gold' mined in the countryside to the north - China Clay.
William Cookworthy, a pharmacist, discovered the China Clay and set up a
porcelain factory in 1768 at Plymouth. Nowadays, the China Clay is used
in many products and processes - from tyres to toothpaste!
You can find out more at the Wheal Martyn Museum
& Country Park.
The Georgian harbour village of Charlestown, just a mile from St Austell, was created by Sir Charles Rashleigh to allow the transport of the valuable China Clay to the potteries in the north and across to Europe. Visit the Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre.
The Georgian harbour village of Charlestown, just a mile from St Austell, was created by Sir Charles Rashleigh to allow the transport of the valuable China Clay to the potteries in the north and across to Europe. Visit the Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre.
