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Wheal Martyn Clay Works
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Discover Cornwall's secret at the UK's only china clay museum, set within 26 acres of atmospheric woodlands.
Journey through a Victorian china clay works, bursting at the seams with tools and machinery. Explore the real-life stories and tales of the industry which shaped the landscape and lives of people in mid-Cornwall. Find out about Cornwall's largest mining industry, past and present, and catch a glimpse of modern machines in action in the working clay pit.
Adventure along the nature trails, woodland walks and adjoining 'Clay Trails', scattered with nature and heritage. Why not bring your dog along too? On your way, see if you can find the workers' historic crib hut, view the rather curious settling tanks and beautiful vintage vehicles, and see Cornwall's largest working water wheel.
Explore the interactive Discovery Centre indoors, featuring displays and exhibitions. Test your understanding of local dialects, try your strength against the village tug-o-war team and meet a Victorian kettle boy.
Children can get active on the adventure trail, dive into the dressing up box and let off steam in the play area. Experience our changing creative clay workshops, events, exhibitions and refuel in our café, offering delicious homemade food.
Facilities
- Dogs Welcome
- WC
- Disabled Access
- Disabled WC
- WiFi Available
- Food & Drink
- Picnic Area
- Shop
- Outside Seating
Opening Times
| Open | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | 10am | 5pm |
Opening hours: 10.00am - 4.00pm (winter) and 10.00am - 5.00pm (summer).
Prices
| Adult 16+ | £17.00 |
| Children 0-5 | FREE |
| Children 5-15 | £7.50 |
| Family Saver - 2 adults and 2 children | £43.00 |
| Family Saver - 2 Adults and up to 4 children | £50.00 |
Group discounts are available.
Contact Details
Wheal Martyn
Carthew
St. Austell
PL26 8XG
Telephone: 01726 850362
Email: info@wheal-martyn.com
Web: http://www.wheal-martyn.com
Social Media
Upcoming Events
100 Years of Bugle Band Contest - Wednesday 08 July 2026 to Saturday 25 July 2026
100 Years of Bugle Band Contest is a celebration of the centenary of the Bugle Band Contest which is held within our parish.
It will showcase memorabilia collected from previous contests and share the significance of the contest – the stories of how it was formed, its roots in the community, and where it is today.
Further details: The 2026 Bugle Brass Band Contest will be held on Saturday 20 June at Molinnis Park, Bugle.
Time: 10.00am to 5.00pm (last entry to museum 4.00pm)
Price: Included in standard museum admission
Contact: info@wheal-martyn.com
Location: Roger Preston Gallery
Mevagissey Shanty - Joint Fundraiser - Saturday 11 July 2026
Join the Mevagissey Shanty Festival at Wheal Martyn for our annual fundraising concert!
The Block House Chainers from Fowey and The DerryAirs from Downderry will be performing traditional and original shanties and folk songs inspired by Cornwall and our rich mining and maritime heritage.
Further details: Bar open on the day and pre-booked pasties are available at point of booking. Proceeds raised from the event will be split equally between Mevagissey Shanty Festival and Wheal Martyn Trust (Charity no. 1001838).
Time: Doors open at 6.15pm, performance starts at 7.00pm
Price: £14.00 per person (age 12 and under free)
Optional extra: Pre-ordered pasties £6.95
Contact: info@wheal-martyn.com
Book online: https://www.wheal-martyn.com/Event/mevagissey-shanty-joint-fundraiser-26
Clay Country Carnivals Trail - Saturday 25 July 2026 to Sunday 06 September 2026
Celebrate the carnivals, festivals and feast days of Cornwall’s Clay Country in our summer trail showcasing historic images of these community events from our archives – can you complete the trail to become a Carnival Queen or King?
You might even recognise a family member in the photographs! Along the way and during your visit also enjoy traditional lawn games and summer fete challenges around the museum grounds, from ring toss to splat the rat and many more.
No booking required, take part during your visit – information provided at admissions desk.
Time: During normal opening hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Price: Included within the general admission fee
Contact: info@wheal-martyn.com
Summer Fete Activities - Monday 27 July 2026 to Tuesday 01 September 2026
Take part in a range of creative activities as part of our celebration of the many carnivals, festivals and feast days of Cornwall’s Clay Country area.
You could make a carnival float out of clay or paper, make and decorate your own crown or bunting or paint a ceramic tile as a memento of your visit.
Also have fun with the traditional lawn games and summer fete challenges around the museum grounds during your visit.
No booking required, just drop in and take part during your visit – information provided at admissions desk.
Please note the Summer Fete Activities are only available on weekdays, Mondays to Fridays from Monday 27 July – Tuesday 1 September.
Time: 11.00am – 3.00pm
Price: Ranging from £1.00 to £5.00 (in addition to standard admission fee).
Contact: info@wheal-martyn.com
And Everything And Nothing Has Changed - Saturday 01 August 2026 to Thursday 08 October 2026
An exhibition showcasing work by artist Robin James Sullivan. And Everything And Nothing Has Changed (2021) was an ambitious public arts and heritage project by Robin James Sullivan that explored how landscapes hold memory and change. Developed across Cornwall’s China Clay Country, the project brought together over 450 participants through workshops, conversations, field trips and creative events.
The exhibition of the same name explores landscape, memory, industry and community through sculpture, performance and fieldwork. Its centrepiece is the spectacular two-metre-tall ceramic standing stone, collaboratively designed and built by local communities before being fired in a purpose-built kiln beneath the iconic Sky Tip on the edge of St Austell, just a couple miles from Wheal Martyn.
Further details:
Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Price: Included in standard museum admission
Contact: info@wheal-martyn.com
The Press Gang - Thursday 06 August 2026
Have you ever wanted to a conga to a funeral song?! If the answer is YES, then look no further! The Press Gang have brought Cornish-themed, foot-stomping jovial fun to stages near and far for well over a decade and like nothing more than a crowd up for some Cornish maritime folky fun. Are you going to be part of that crowd (and potential conga!) at Wheal Martyn?!
As well as an opportunity to experience some fantastic Cornish music, this event will be supporting the charitable work of Wheal Martyn Trust (Charity no. 1001838), with money raised from ticket sales contributing to our fundraising.
To balance our fundraising needs with the reality of the current cost of living challenge our customers face, we have made this a pay what you can event. All tickets are equal, simply pick the price you wish to pay (between £6 and £15). Age 12 and under free.
Pasties available, pre-order essential - £6.95 each
Doors open at 6.30pm, performance starts at 7.00pm
Book online: https://www.wheal-martyn.com/Event/the-press-gang
Quest for the Lost Words - Thursday 20 August 2026
Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children, slipping away like water on stone...
Dandelion gone!
Kingfisher gone!
Conker gone!
Inspired by the bestselling nature book The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, Cscape's Quest for the Lost Words takes families on a joyful and imaginative adventure to find these missing words and breathe them back to life.
Quest for the Lost Words is an uplifting blend of dance, storytelling, music, that celebrates the wild world and the species we risk forgetting. Using captivating music from Matt Thomason and The People's String Foundation, and voiced by the magnetic Sue Hill (Wildworks / Kneehigh) this heart-warming production rekindles wonder, sparks curiosity and invites audiences of all ages to step into a re-wilded landscape where lost words return home. A reminder that every word - and every species - matters.
This is an outdoor performance, so please dress for the weather. Please bring cushions, chairs and a picnic if you fancy!
Times:
- Pre-promenade performance: please arrive at 3.40pm for a 4.00pm start
- Main performance: please arrive for 4.45pm for a 5.00pm start
Ticket prices:
- Pre-promenade performance: £5 per person
- Main performance: Adults £10; Children £6
Book online: https://www.wheal-martyn.com/Event/quest-for-the-lost-words
Special Offers
Present your device to the cashier
Present this voucher to receive £1.50 per person off the standard admission prices.
£1.50 off per person (max 6 persons) at Wheal Martyn Clay Works.
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or the family saver ticket.
Valid for the 2026 season.
REF: For One & All Voucher
