Wheal Martyn

About the museum

Wheal Martyn was established as a museum in 1975 by English China Clays Ltd, then the producer of china clay at the site. Clay working began here in the 1820s, started by Elias Martyn on the Carthew Estate, and by 1869 he was producing 2,000 tons of clay a year. After his death in 1872 the family kept the land but leased the works to other operators, and the site stayed in production until 1969. The adjoining clay pit is still worked today.

The museum is based in two Victorian china clay works, one of them preserved in its working state, and much of its machinery is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The collection includes working waterwheels, tools and machinery, vintage lorries and an extensive archive of china clay history. The museum describes itself as the only china clay mining museum in the UK and is an Area Centre for the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

Visitors can explore an interactive Discovery Centre, outdoor exhibits such as crib huts, settling tanks and Cornwall’s largest working waterwheel, and a viewpoint over the modern clay pit. The site covers 26 acres of woodland with nature trails and a historic trail. The museum is run by the Wheal Martyn Trust, a registered charity.

Highlights

• Interactive Discovery Centre with a virtual tour of a clay pit
• Cornwall’s largest working waterwheel
• Vintage lorries including a 1934 ERF and a 1916 Peerless
• Views of a working modern china clay pit
• 26 acres of woodland with trails

Permanent exhibitions

• Discovery Centre – An indoor space with interactive exhibits, film footage and voice recordings, a making and drawing area and a virtual tour into a working clay pit.
• The historic clay works – Outdoor exhibits in the preserved Victorian works, including crib huts, settling tanks, vintage lorries and Cornwall’s largest working waterwheel.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Wheal Martyn Trust (registered charity no. 1001838)

Admission & discounts

A full-price ticket gives free return visits for a year. The café and gift shop can be visited without an admission ticket. Tickets can be bought on site or online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Discovery Centre, shop and café are fully accessible. The site is on a hillside with uneven outdoor paths and some steps, and the Pit View platform is a half-mile uphill walk with several flights of steps. Some areas can close at short notice when blasting takes place at the clay pit. Accessible toilets are in the Atrium near the main entrance, and disabled parking is close to the entrance. Benches are spread around the outdoor site. A sensory map can be downloaded, and sensory bags are available for visitors with autism and learning difficulties. Dogs are welcome on leads.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The Discovery Centre has interactive exhibits, a making and drawing area and a virtual tour into a clay pit. Children can follow an adventure trail through the woodland, and trails run in school holidays. A play area has a dressing-up box and a hidden drum set. Holiday activities, creative workshops and birthday parties are offered; party options include an Outdoor Explorer party for £200 for a group of 10 and a Clay Play and Painting party from £10 per child.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav postcode PL26 8XG.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A licensed café in the old clay works serves breakfasts, homemade lunches, cakes and a children’s menu. The gift shop sells gifts, cards and Cornish food and drink.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

A meeting room can be hired for half or full days, and the café, atrium and patio can be hired for corporate events, parties and Christmas functions, usually in the evening or outside peak season. The 26 acres of grounds and buildings can be hired for film and photo shoots and outdoor events. Catering is available.

Plan your visit