08
Luxulyan Valley & Charlestown Practicalities
Getting there For Charlestown, head south from St Austell on the A3061. Luxulyan is a five-mile drive northeast of St Austell along some narrow but well signposted roads. First operates several buses to St Austell (25, 26/26B, 27/27B), and the Truronian T24 stops in Luxulyan. The nearest mainline train station is Par. See
www.cornwallpublictransport.info for the latest information.
Suggested map Ordnance Survey map 107: St Austell & Liskeard, Fowey, Looe & Lostwithiel (Explorer Maps).
Dog friendliness There are some excellent walks around the Treffry Viaduct and the Luxulyan Valley, but dogs are banned on the beach at Charlestown all year round.
Parking The pay car park in Charlestown is a short walk from the harbour, and parking is allowed in the lanes around Prideaux Woods and Luxulyan Valley – but please show consideration for residents by parking safely and legally at busy times.
Public toilets There are public toilets close to the beach in Charlestown, and in Luxulyan village – as well as Luxulyan Museum and Heritage Centre (open Tuesdays to Saturdays in the summer school – or call 01726 813522 to arrange visits at other times).
Eating & drinking Charlestown beach café, The Bosun’s Diner and The Rashleigh Arms offer snacks and light meals, while Revival Restaurant and The Pier Head Hotel, also in Charlestown, serve great meals and welcomes well-behaved children. In Luxulyan, The Kings Arms is a lovely traditional pub serving real ale and good food.
Historical Trail: Wheal Martyn China Clay
The Historical Trail takes you through the old clay works, where you will be able to see the largest working water wheel in Cornwall at 35 feet in diameter. It is the power source traditionally used to power the pumps at the pit used to pump slurry out of the pit to the processing areas. The wheel is connected to red painted flat-rods which travelled through the site to the pit over a mile away from the wheel itself.
The Historic Trail guides visitors through the former Wheal Martyn China Clay Works, past water wheels, settling tanks and sand drags helping to uncover the secrets of the China Clay industry.
Click here for full details of the route > Wheal Martyn to Eden Trail Length: 5 miles
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.
Click here for full details of the route > Adventure & Sport Activities
Take a boat trip or try your hand at windsurfing, at Charlestown Watersports Centre. See
www.charlestownwatersports.com for more information.
In the afternoon, head to Pentewan, near Mevagissey. The Pentewan cycle trail is quite flat and provides easy walking. It begins from the village of London Apprentice, just south of St Austell and leads to Pentewan beach. Along the route pathways branch out that will take you uphill into beautiful King’s Wood. If arriving by car you can park at London Apprentice at the start of the trail. Bicycles are available for hire at Pentewan village.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76