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    Wheal Martyn

    The UK's only china clay mining museum in the heart of Cornwall's clay country.

    Description

    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, the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum is based within two Victorian china clay works, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It tells the story of this fascinating industry and the people who worked and lived in the shadows of Cornwall’s iconic ‘white pyramids’.

    A visit might include: wandering around our interactive Discovery Centre, exploring historic trails, woodland walks in grounds teeming with wildlife, and spectacular views of a modern working clay pit.

    Our collections include working waterwheels, tools and machinery, vintage lorries and an extensive archive.

    There is also a cafe on site.

    Carers are permitted free entry into the museum.

    Location

    Wheal Martyn, Saint Austell PL26, UK

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    Detailed description

    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, the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum is based within two Victorian china clay works, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It tells the story of this fascinating industry and the people who worked and lived in the shadows of Cornwall’s iconic ‘white pyramids’.

    A visit might include: wandering around our interactive Discovery Centre, exploring historic trails, woodland walks in grounds teeming with wildlife, and spectacular views of a modern working clay pit.

    Our collections include working waterwheels, tools and machinery, vintage lorries and an extensive archive.

    We are located within two former Victorian clay works, one of which is preserved in its working state and is the only example of its kind which is open to the public.

    The site marks a period of the industry’s history, spanning from the 1820s through to the 1960s when the industry was labour intensive and physically taxing. This is in stark contrast to the modern industry which is largely mechanised.

    Exhibitions

    Various permanent and short-term exhibitions are on display at the site. Please check the website for details.

    There is a Memory Cafe that meets at the museum, for people living with dementia or memory loss and their carers, friends or family. Find out more on their website.

    Parking

    Disabled parking is available close to the main entrance of the museum which is wheelchair accessible.

    Toilet facilities

    There is a unisex Changing Places toilet in the Atrium.

    There are gents and ladies disabled toilets in the external toilet block.

     

    Accessibiliy Guide

    Main Access page

    We want everyone to feel welcome at Wheal Martyn, and we are always looking for new ways to improve the museum’s accessibility.  If you have access requirements, the below information should help you to make the most of your visit. If you would like more information, please call us on 01726 850362.

    Before your visit
    Our Accessibility Guide provides a detailed description of what you can expect to find at the museum, including images and accurate measurements. This is useful for visitors with a variety of access requirements.

    Our Visual Story provides a visual guide of what to expect at the museum through images and words. This allows visitors to familiarise themselves with Wheal Martyn before their visit. This guide is particularly useful for visitors with autism, anxiety and associated conditions. We also have an Easy Read Visual Story.

    Accessibility guidelines

    Mobility / Wheelchair Support

    Wheal Martyn is a historic site and some areas have limited access by nature. However, the Discovery Centre, shop and café are fully  accessible and every effort has been made to make as many areas of the wider site as accessible as possible. There are ramps within the building for access to other floors, and outside, including benches at intervals for those who need a rest.

    Please note that:

    • We are set on a hillside
    • There are uneven paths and steps around some of the outside trails
    • Pit View is a half mile walk uphill, including several flights of steps and uneven paths
    • Some areas of the site may be unavailable to the public at short notice – for example, Pit View will be off limits when blasting is taking place for safety reasons.

    There are wheelchairs available to borrow, for free, and an are is available to charge mobility scooters for free.

    Vision Impairment Support

    Dogs are welcome at the museum on leads. Assistance dogs may use any of the gravel or grass areas in the main car park, to the rear of the discovery centre or on our trails for toileting. Please request assistance, if needed, to pick up dog waste

    The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

    Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

    The menu is in large print.

    Hearing Impairment Support

    Dogs are welcome at the museum on leads. Assistance dogs may use any of the gravel or grass areas in the main car park, to the rear of the discovery centre or on our trails for toileting. Please request assistance, if needed, to pick up dog waste

    You can hire a tablet to use while you explore Wheal Martyn in British Sign Language (BSL). Alternatively, view it on your own device here.

    Autism support

    Wheal Martyn have produced a Visual Story, which provides a visual guide of what to expect at the museum through images and words. This allows visitors to familiarise themselves with Wheal Martyn before their visit. This guide is particularly useful for visitors with autism, anxiety and associated conditions. They also have an Easy Read Visual Story.

    Sensory bags
    Explore Wheal Martyn with one of our sensory bags, which are designed especially for people with autism and learning difficulties.

    There is information in the Wheal Martyn Visual Story about what sensory experiences there are within the museum.

    If you need to go somewhere quiet for any reason during your visit, then you can go to our quiet space. Follow signs for the conference room. When you reach the building, it is the first door you come to and the quiet space is just inside, near the entrance. Please ask a member of staff if you require any further assistance.

    Learning Support

    You can ask reception for a free easy read guide to borrow during your visit, or download your own copy here.

    Wheal Martyn have produced a Visual Story, which provides a visual guide of what to expect at the museum through images and words.  They also have an Easy Read Visual Story.

    Sensory bags
    Explore Wheal Martyn with one of our sensory bags, which are designed especially for people with autism and learning difficulties.

    There is information in the Wheal Martyn Visual Story about what sensory experiences there are within the museum.

    If you need to go somewhere quiet for any reason during your visit, then you can go to our quiet space. Follow signs for the conference room. When you reach the building, it is the first door you come to and the quiet space is just inside, near the entrance. Please ask a member of staff if you require any further assistance.

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