Local History

When John Leland visited the area of St Austell during the reign of King Henry VIII he had very little to say about the town:

"At St Austelles is nothing notable but the paroch chirch".

Such a comment doesn't ring true when you look back at all the town has achieved over the years.

It wasn't long after the bored Leland came to the town, when local hero William Cookworthy would discover something that would make the name St Austell famous throughout Europe and further afield.

Cookworthy discovered China Clay and soon after business was booming in the town, overtaking tin and copper mining. As a result the population of St Austell grew literally overnight.

Today the town still has a China Clay industry although it is now much smaller than it was in the past.

The founder of St Austell Brewery lived here

Another important business to come out of the town, still in existence today is St Austell Brewery. High above Bodmin Road in the town is a splendid looking manor house. Now a residential home, it was once the dwelling of Walter Hicks, the founder of St Austell Brewery in 1851.  

The brewery has been operating in St Austell for nearly 160 years. As well as producing its beer, the company also produce wine, recently signing a deal with Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm to keg and distribute it's popular Rattler range.

Below Walter Hicks' home is a little known beauty spot which houses the historic Menacuddle Well, surrounded by trees and rhododendron bushes. This tranquil spot was donated to the people of St Austell many years ago. It remains an oasis just a stone's throw from the town itself.

Menacuddle Holy Well

St Austell boasts buildings designed by famous architect Slyvanus Trevail, including the old St Austell Bank, which stands out as a red brick building in the town centre, and the old Liberal Club, which went on to become the Thin End, a popular eating place which closed at the turn of the century.

One business that was purpose built, and still serves its original criteria today is the Market House. Originally only the ground floor was set aside for the local traders, but today they have the run of both floors, selling a mixture of goods just like it did when the building opened for business in 1844.

Although the town is currently still undergoing it's regeneration, and all eyes are on the future of St Austell, it's good to remember that the area is rich in history and well worth exploring.