Facilities and access Expand Coats and bags Our new learning space has coat pegs and lockable bag storage. Valuables are left at the owner’s risk. Toilets There are three sets of toilets, two of which are fully accessible. There is a set of toilets on the floor beneath the learning space, with access by stair or lift. Lunch Schools and groups can use the learning space for their lunch break, with easy access to their coats and bags and toilets. There is also a lovely picnic area in the woods for an alfresco lunch, with direct access to the challenge trail to let off some steam! Disabled access and special educational needs The museum, learning space and much of the site is accessible for people with disabilities or limited mobility. Please be aware that some areas include steps and steep climbs – these routes are in the woodland area around the Scheduled Ancient Monument. We warmly welcome groups with special educational needs and can provide a quiet space, an area for rest or lunch, and even opening times to suit. Please contact us to discuss your requirements. Shop and café The shop and café are open daily from 10.00am. The shop has a range of educational items, books and pocket money gifts. We request that groups are supervised in the shop. The café can cater for large groups for lunch with pre-order menus available on request.
Getting here Expand Grants for school transport Cornwall Heritage Trust may give financial support for transport to enable schools to make visits to heritage sites or undertake visits that have a purpose of developing awareness and appreciation of Cornish heritage. Parking There is a large coach parking area to the right of the main drive as you enter the site. Coaches can drop you safely there and you can enter via the main entrance or follow the path up to the learning space. For directions, click here.
Health and safety Expand To help you with planning your visit, we will send you guidance and a risk assessment when you confirm your booking. Teachers, group leaders and accompanying adults are responsible for the behaviour and general health and safety of their group whilst at Wheal Martyn. They should remain with their groups at all times. Groups must have the appropriate adult to pupil ratio for the age range of students attending. We recommend the following staffing ratios as a minimum (in line with DfE and teachers unions): 1 adult for every 6 pupils in school years 1 to 3 (under 5s reception classes should have a higher ratio) 1 adult for every 10-15 pupils in school years 4 to 6 1 adult for every 15-20 pupils in school year 7 onwards
Free teacher pre-visit for planning Expand Teachers are welcome to visit Wheal Martyn before their planned school visit, free of charge.
What do we offer? Expand We can help you to plan your visit to suit your dates, times, topics and any other requirements. We can create and adapt workshops and activities to suit you and your class. We can plan your day to include: A guided tour of the Victorian clay works and Pit View. Our Volunteer Guides offer an engaging account of the workings of the site, delving into the history of the industry and the workers, and their own personal family stories! A workshop session delivered by our experienced Education Officer. Our workshops offer a variety of hands-on activities to engage pupils, including handling museum objects, researching the museum exhibits, working in teams to investigate problems, exploring the woodland and delving into the historic site. The curriculum-linked workshops are suitable for Reception to Key Stage 3 classes, all offering excellent outdoor learning opportunities. If you are working on a particular topic, we can plan a workshop session to meet your learning outcomes. For an example of our school workshop sessions, download this PDF. A self-guided activity You can lead your own activity at the museum. If you would like a bit of support, we can provide worksheets and suggested activities that will help you to structure a self-led session.