Guidebook for Saint Austell
Food Scene
Excellent food in the ancient port of Charlestown (used as a setting in the Poldark TV series). Sunday lunch very good value. Paid parking at the back, some (limited) free parking for customers.
71 locals recommend
The Longstore
Charlestown HarbourExcellent food in the ancient port of Charlestown (used as a setting in the Poldark TV series). Sunday lunch very good value. Paid parking at the back, some (limited) free parking for customers.
Great views out to sea from converted lifeboat house in quaint harbourside hamlet of Polkerris with sandy beach. Excellent pizzas, burgers and seafood. Sams is a local 'chain' of 4 restaurants. Parking is a short walk up the hill.
117 locals recommend
Sams On The Beach, Restaurant
Great views out to sea from converted lifeboat house in quaint harbourside hamlet of Polkerris with sandy beach. Excellent pizzas, burgers and seafood. Sams is a local 'chain' of 4 restaurants. Parking is a short walk up the hill.
The original Sams bistro in this picturesque estuary village. Burgers, fresh local fish including one of the best bouillabaises. Park on the small quay along the one way road past Sams, or if full, continue to bigger parking by the Boddinick Ferry.
59 locals recommend
Sam's Fowey
20 Fore StThe original Sams bistro in this picturesque estuary village. Burgers, fresh local fish including one of the best bouillabaises. Park on the small quay along the one way road past Sams, or if full, continue to bigger parking by the Boddinick Ferry.
Sams at Par Market, in a replica American Diner. Good for kids, Burgers and St Austell Bay mussles (available at all Sams). Par Market is more or less St Austell's equivalent of a souk!
6 locals recommend
Sam's Diner
Par Moor RoadSams at Par Market, in a replica American Diner. Good for kids, Burgers and St Austell Bay mussles (available at all Sams). Par Market is more or less St Austell's equivalent of a souk!
Decent bar food, congenial, and in the centre of town. They do St Austell Bay mussles here too, and St Austell ales of course. About 8 minutes walk from the cabin
6 locals recommend
The White Hart Hotel
3 Church StDecent bar food, congenial, and in the centre of town. They do St Austell Bay mussles here too, and St Austell ales of course. About 8 minutes walk from the cabin
Hard to categorise, but good for non-Spanish, tapas-style food, and a congenial, if sometimes busy atmosphere.
Moustache Jacks Ltd
2 Biddicks CtHard to categorise, but good for non-Spanish, tapas-style food, and a congenial, if sometimes busy atmosphere.
Good bar food and a restaurant overlooking Charlestown Harbour, and from the terrace, out to sea. Try the Jambalya if you like spicy, ricey seafood.
27 locals recommend
Pier House Hotel
Charlestown RoadGood bar food and a restaurant overlooking Charlestown Harbour, and from the terrace, out to sea. Try the Jambalya if you like spicy, ricey seafood.
The Taj Mahal Tandoori
57 Victoria RdExcellent modern Indian restaurant.
Indian & Nepalese, at the back of Fore Street (up steps by the travel agent and bank)
Gurkha Restaurant
36-38 Fore StIndian & Nepalese, at the back of Fore Street (up steps by the travel agent and bank)
Old pub right next to Sams on the Beach. Big terrace with spectacular view across St Austell bay. Cosy fire when needed, local ales, bar food and a small restaurant. Limited free parking, otherwise park in the public car park five minutes walk up the hill.
33 locals recommend
Rashleigh Inn
Old pub right next to Sams on the Beach. Big terrace with spectacular view across St Austell bay. Cosy fire when needed, local ales, bar food and a small restaurant. Limited free parking, otherwise park in the public car park five minutes walk up the hill.
Right on the beach, sand in your toes, on a veranda, or indoors if you like. Great burgers and BBQ-style chicken, fish, creative salads and chips, full choice bar. Busy in the season, and a big campsite behind it, but great view and good for kids. Open late.
19 locals recommend
Hub Box Pentewan
Right on the beach, sand in your toes, on a veranda, or indoors if you like. Great burgers and BBQ-style chicken, fish, creative salads and chips, full choice bar. Busy in the season, and a big campsite behind it, but great view and good for kids. Open late.
Parks & Nature
Not really a park, but an amazing regeneration of what was originally a huge china clay pit, now an educational, sustainable, environmental, experience. With tropical and Mediterranean biomes (and added high wire and bunjee adrenalin thrills if needed). Concerts with top names in the summer, and ice rink in the winter.
1111 locals recommend
Eden Project
Not really a park, but an amazing regeneration of what was originally a huge china clay pit, now an educational, sustainable, environmental, experience. With tropical and Mediterranean biomes (and added high wire and bunjee adrenalin thrills if needed). Concerts with top names in the summer, and ice rink in the winter.
Bodmin Moor
Beautiful gardens, restored from what was more or less a hidden jungle. Good cafe!
Lost Gardens of Heligan
B3273Beautiful gardens, restored from what was more or less a hidden jungle. Good cafe!
Wonderful gardens with jungle feel and quirky earthy sculpture. Excellent shop and cafe too. Local produce next door too.
594 locals recommend
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
B3273Wonderful gardens with jungle feel and quirky earthy sculpture. Excellent shop and cafe too. Local produce next door too.
Sightseeing
Typical old Cornish fishing village. Quaint streets. Restaurants, pubs, individual shops. Busy in the summer.
Also worth mentioning is the Cornwall Coastal Path which claims to be the longest public footpath in the world (from near Plymouth to Minehead). Whatever, it's lovely almost anywhere you join it.
196 locals recommend
Mevagissey
Typical old Cornish fishing village. Quaint streets. Restaurants, pubs, individual shops. Busy in the summer.
Also worth mentioning is the Cornwall Coastal Path which claims to be the longest public footpath in the world (from near Plymouth to Minehead). Whatever, it's lovely almost anywhere you join it.
Carlyon Bay
Qaint streets and shops beside a beautiful river reaching out to sea. Home of Toad Hall!
241 locals recommend
Fowey
Qaint streets and shops beside a beautiful river reaching out to sea. Home of Toad Hall!
Essentials
Tesco Superstore
Daniels LaneAsda St Austell Superstore
Cromwell RoadTesco Express
Shopping
Excellent local produce, abundant fruit and vegetables (feels like being in France), local fish caught in the bay with their own boat, and other Cornish produce. Well worth a stop if you're heading to Fowey or Polkerris. Or even if you're not.
6 locals recommend
Richards Fruit Veg & Fish
Harbour RoadExcellent local produce, abundant fruit and vegetables (feels like being in France), local fish caught in the bay with their own boat, and other Cornish produce. Well worth a stop if you're heading to Fowey or Polkerris. Or even if you're not.