Wheal Martyn, Cornwall

The museum was established in 1975 by the producers of china clay in Cornwall to preserve and record the history of the mid Cornwall area. It is situated alongside the St Austell river in a valley which contained several china clay works. The museum includes the remains of the historic Wheal Martyn clay works, which became a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1978. As well as the historic buildings the museums owns and looks after a large collection of items associated with the china clay industry. This includes machinery and vintage vehicles, social history objects, tools, and minerals. Visitors to the site are guided by marked trails, either following the ‘historic’ trail, which explores the historic buildings at the core of the site, or the ‘nature’ trail, which cover the rest of the 26 acre site. A path leads to a view into the modern working working pit.
The reception centre has a shop, cafe and a museum exhibition which has interesting displays and videos about the clay mining industry.
The historic trail leads you in an around the old buildings of the Victorian works. Here, processing and drying of the clay was carried out. Parts of the works continued in use till 1969. Equipment for various parts of the process can be seen, including two water wheels.
The viewing point at the top of the site gives a view down into the huge working pit. Binoculars would be an advantage here, as the trucks (actually huge) look very small down below. Another viewing point on the nature trail gives a view in the opposite direction, across the valley.
Before leaving the site, have a look at the relics around the coach park.
I found the museum interesting, though the display labeling in the historic area is looking a bit tired in places. There is enough to see to fill a half-day visit.
Nearby: China clay valley walks, Charlestown.