DISCOVER CORNWALL'S SECRET
at the UK's only china clay mining museum

Why visit

Dig deep and discover the special ingredient in your everyday life that still shapes Cornwall and the world today…china clay! It hides in your toothpaste, your paper, your car tyres and even your cosmetics. It’s a billion pound, global industry. We are telling the story of Cornwall’s secret, and the people who brought it to you, from the heart of Clay Country.

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Donate

Please consider making a donation to Wheal Martyn. Your donation will go where it is most needed; for example, preserving our collections or the Victorian clay works, providing educational opportunities or developing community activities such as our Memory Cafe.

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Target amount: £0.00

Amount raised: £600.70

Our museum

China clay mining has shaped the landscape, lives of people and economy of mid-Cornwall for over 250 years. It is Cornwall’s largest mining industry. A fully Accredited Museum, we are based within two Victorian china clay works, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. We tell the story of this fascinating industry and the people who worked and lived in the shadows of Cornwall’s iconic ‘white pyramids’.

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Author: Annabel Underwood

2024 is a great time to discover Wheal Martyn 

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 Acres to Explore, Discover and Enjoy!

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 Years of mining at Wheal Martyn and new facilities and exhibitions launched

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 Months admission with your ticket

Upcoming events

  • Inspiring Artists of the Future

    Sharing an eclectic mix of works by a variety of well-known artists drawn from Cornwall Council Schools Art Collection. On display until 2 October 2024. Read more

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    Location: Wheal Martyn Clay Works, St Austell, PL26 8XG

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  • Classic Car Rally

    Bring along your classic vehicle to display around the historic Wheal Martyn grounds or come along and enjoy the vehicles on show. Read more

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    Location: Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Carthew, St Austell, PL26 8XG

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  • Wine & wisdom fundraising evening

    Join us on Thursday 17 October for our ‘Wine & Wisdom’ fundraising quiz evening at Wheal Martyn Clay Works. Come along with friends and colleagues, have fun and show off your knowledge, whilst raising funds for your local heritage centre. Read more

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    Location: Wheal Martyn Clay Works, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 8XG

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