Fore Street in St Austell on a sunny day

Things to Do In St Austell 2026

Looking for things to do in St Austell? Here is our 2026 guide on things to do in st Austell, Cornwall.

There are many things to do in St Austell, below is the a list of the the top 10 things to do in St Austell

Attraction Description Cost / Duration Suitability Facilities Ratings

1. The Eden Project

World-famous massive biomes housing indoor rainforests and Mediterranean gardens. A global gardening landmark.

Cost: Adult ~£38-£42; Child £12-£16

Duration: 4-6 Hours

Family: Excellent (lots of walking).

Dogs: Restricted (Outdoor gardens only; banned in biomes).

Food: Yes (Cafes/Restaurants).

Beach: No (15 min drive).

Parking: Free.3

Trip Advisor: 3.5-4.0

Google: 4.4 4

2. Lost Gardens of Heligan

A romantic, 200-acre estate restored from overgrowth. Features a jungle, rope bridge, and productive gardens.

Cost: Adult ~£22.50 (Jan/Feb “Pay what you can”)

Duration: 3-5 Hours

Family: Excellent.

Dogs: Yes (Allowed in gardens on lead year-round).6

Food: Yes (Kitchen/Cafe).

Beach: Nearby (Pentewan, not onsite).

Parking: Free.

Trip Advisor: 4.5

Google: 4.7

3. Charlestown Harbour

Historic Georgian port used in Poldark. Tall ships and heritage architecture. Note: Shipwreck Museum is closed.

Cost: Free (Harbour).

Duration: 1-2 Hours

Family: Good for strolling.

Dogs: Restricted (Allowed in village; Seasonal ban on beach).9

Food: Yes (Pubs/Cafes).

Beach: Yes (Shingle/Pebble).

Parking: Paid

Trip Advisor: 4.5

Google: 4.6

4. Wheal Martyn Clay Works

UK’s only china clay mining museum with vintage trucks, waterwheels, and woodland trails.

Cost: Adult £16.50 (Annual Pass); Child £7.00 11

Duration: 2-3 Hours

Family: Excellent.

Dogs: Yes (Allowed everywhere, including cafe)

Food: Yes (Cafe).

Beach: No.

Parking: Free.

Trip Advisor: 4.6

Google: 4.5

5. St Austell Brewery

Interactive “Brewing Experience” tour and museum of Cornwall’s oldest independent brewery.

Cost: Tour ~£15-£25 14

Duration: 90 Mins

Family: Adults mostly (Age 14+ for tours).

Dogs: Visitor Centre only (Not on tour).

Food: Yes (Hicks Bar).

Beach: No.

Parking: Paid (Redeemable).

Trip Advisor: 4.5

Google: 4.8

6. Porthpean Beach

Sheltered, sandy family beach with rock pools and clear water. Popular for kayaking/SUP.

Cost: Free

Duration: Variable

Family: Excellent.

Dogs: Seasonal Ban (July 1 – Aug 31, 10am-6pm)

Food: Snack Bar/Shop.

Beach: Yes.

Parking: Paid (Steep walk).

Trip Advisor: 4.5

Google: 4.6

7. Pentewan Sands

Large, flat sandy beach backed by a holiday park. Great for swimming and watersports.

Cost: Free

Duration: Variable

Family: Excellent (Easy access).

Dogs: Not Allowed (Strict seasonal ban/Park rules)

Food: Yes (Resort facilities).

Beach: Yes.

Parking: Paid.

Trip Advisor: 4.0

Google: 4.5

8. Pinetum Gardens

30-acre “hidden gem” featuring 10 distinct gardens (Japanese, Winter, etc.). Peaceful and quiet.

Cost: Adult £14-16; Child £7-8

Duration: 2-3 Hours

Family: Good.

Dogs: Yes (Allowed throughout)

Food: Yes (Garden Kitchen).

Beach: No.

Parking: Free.

Trip Advisor: 4.4

Google: 4.2

9. Cornwall FootballGolf

Fun unique activity for everyone combining football and golf on two 18-hole courses set in 18 acres of beautiful countryside

Cost: Adult £12.99; Child £9.99 23

Duration: 2-4 Hours

Family: Excellent (Competitive fun).

Dogs: Yes (On leads)

Food: Snacks/Drinks.

Beach: No.

Parking: Free.

Trip Advisor: 4.9

Google: 4.9

10. Kidzworld Cornwall

Indoorplay centre with soft play, slides, and mini golf. Best for rainy days.

Cost: Child £10.30+; Adult £3.30 26

Duration: 2-4 Hours

Family: Excellent (Under 12s).

Dogs: No

Food: Yes (Cafe).

Beach: No.

Parking: Free.

Trip Advisor : 3.5

Google: 4.0

  • Eden Project  – World-famous massive biomes housing indoor rainforests and Mediterranean gardens. A global gardening landmark.
  • Cost: Adult ~£38-£42; Child £12-£16

  • Duration: 4-6 Hours

  • Family: Excellent (lots of walking).

  • Dogs: Restricted (Outdoor gardens only; banned in biomes).

  • Food: Yes (Cafes/Restaurants).

  • Beach: No (15 min drive).

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor : 3.5-4.0  Google: 4.4
  • Lost Gardens of HeliganA romantic, 200-acre estate restored from overgrowth. Features a jungle, rope bridge, and productive gardens.

  • Cost: Adult ~£22.50 (Jan/Feb “Pay what you can”) 5

  • Duration: 3-5 Hours

  • Family: Excellent.

  • Dogs: Yes (Allowed in gardens on lead year-round)

  • Food: Yes (Kitchen/Cafe).

  • Beach: Nearby (Pentewan, not onsite).

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5 Google: 4.7
  • Charlestown HarbourHistoric Georgian port used in Poldark. Tall ships and heritage architecture. Note: Shipwreck Museum is closed

  • Cost: Free (Harbour).

  • Duration: 1-2 Hours

  • Family: Good for strolling.

  • Dogs: Restricted (Allowed in village; Seasonal ban on beach)

  • Food: Yes (Pubs/Cafes).

  • Beach: Yes (Shingle/Pebble).

  • Parking: Paid.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5  / Google: 4.6
  • Wheal Martyn Clay Works UK’s only china clay mining museum with vintage trucks, waterwheels, and woodland trails.

  • Cost: Adult £16.50 (Annual Pass); Child £7.00

  • Duration: 2-3 Hours

  • Family: Excellent.

  • Dogs: Yes (Allowed everywhere, including cafe)

  • Food: Yes (Cafe).

  • Beach: No.

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.6 / Google: 4.5

  • St Austell Brewery Interactive “Brewing Experience” tour and museum of Cornwall’s oldest independent brewery.
  • Cost: Tour ~£15-£25

  • Duration: 90 Mins

  • Family: Adults mostly (Age 14+ for tours).

  • Dogs: Visitor Centre only (Not on tour)

  • Food: Yes (Hicks Bar).

  • Beach: No.

  • Parking: Paid (Redeemable).

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5 / Google: 4.8

  • Porthpean Beach – Sheltered, sandy family beach with rock pools and clear water. Popular for kayaking/SUP.

  • Cost: Free

  • Duration: Variable

  • Family: Excellent.

  • Dogs: Seasonal Ban (July 1 – Aug 31, 10am-6pm)

  • Food: Snack Bar/Shop.

  • Beach: Yes.

  • Parking: Paid (Steep walk).

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5 / Google: 4.6
  • Pentewan SandsLarge, flat sandy beach backed by a holiday park. Great for swimming and watersports.
  • Cost: Free

  • Duration: Variable

  • Family: Excellent (Easy access).

  • Dogs: BANNED (Strict seasonal ban/Park rules)

  • Food: Yes (Resort facilities).

  • Beach: Yes.

  • Parking: Paid

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor : 4.0 / Google: 4.5
  • Pinetum Gardens30-acre “hidden gem” featuring 10 distinct garden rooms (Japanese, Winter, etc.). Peaceful and quiet.
  • Cost: Adult £14-16; Child £7-8

  • Duration: 2-3 Hours

  • Family: Good.

  • Dogs: Yes (Allowed throughout).

  • Food: Yes (Garden Kitchen).

  • Beach: No.

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : TripAdvisor: 4.4 / Google: 4.2

  • Cornwall FootballGolfFun activity for everyone combining football and golf on two 18-hole courses, set in 18 acres of countryside

  • Cost: Adult £12.99; Child £9.99

  • Duration: 2- 4 Hours

  • Family: Excellent (Competitive fun).

  • Dogs: Yes (On leads)

  • Food: Snacks/Drinks.

  • Beach: No.

  • Parking: Free

  • Reviews : TripAdvisor: 4.9 / Google: 4.9

  • Kidzworld Cornwall Indoor/Outdoor play centre with soft play, slides, and mini golf. Best for rainy days.

  • Cost: Child £10.30+; Adult £3.30

  • Duration: 2-4 Hours

  • Family: Excellent (Under 12s).

  • Dogs: No

  • Food: Yes (Cafe).

  • Beach: No.

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor : 3.5 / Google: 4.0
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