The Clay Trails of Cornwall
| Home | St Austell Trail | Wheal Martyn Trail | Bugle Trail | St Blazey Trail | Pentewan Trail | Events | China Clay History | Your Questions answered | Contacts and Links |
Wheal Martyn to Eden Trail Distance:
5 miles (8 km) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
This trail is a little harder walking - the slopes were constructed to be as easy as possible but wheelchair users and their helpers may struggle in places due to long inclines.
You can start your exploration from St Austell, using the St Austell Trail with its entrance at Tremena Gardens, or you can start from Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park on the Bodmin Road, leading out of St Austell, situated in the village of Carthew. If you arrive by car, you are welcome to park your vehicle in the museum's car park and begin your walk. Please note:
The museum can get quite busy in the summer months and if in doubt please ask the staff where best to park. Visitors to the clay trails using the museum car park may like to make a small donation at the Reception Desk to help towards the charitable work of the museum. HORSE RIDERS: if you intend to start from the Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park please park your trailer in the corner of the car park nearest to the trail to avoid hindering visitors to the museum.
The Wheal Martyn Trail leads you into some unique clay country, the white gravel path cutting through areas of rocky ground, grass and heather. The trail crosses woodland, heathland and reaches close to working mines and clay pits which have formed luminous green pools. A few shelters have been built using cob.
Extraordinary vistas stretch before you which ever way you turn. This is a wild and beautiful trail, covering some of the clearest views of the working clay mines. It gives a wonderful sense of rural, old industrial scenery.
As you progress from Wheal Martyn you may notice ancient chimneys partially hidden by the undergrowth, reminders of the clay driers of the 19th century. Further on you can see today's working mines where powerful hoses are used to wash out the clay from the pit.
|
Distance:
5 miles (8 km) Means of travel: Walk, cycle or horse-ride |
The Wheal Martyn Chimney was built by blacksmiths Gary and Thomas Thrussell. This was part of a project where artists worked with the local community to create sculptures to be placed at different points on the clay trails. You can find the Wheal Martyn Chimney the where the trail approaches Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum.
Click on the link below for information on the Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park.
WHEAL MARTYN
CHINA CLAY COUNTRY PARK
