St Austell

{{Short description|Town in Cornwall, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Use British English|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox UK place | static_image_name = High Cross Street, St Austell - geograph.org.uk - 1313370.jpg | static_image_width = 240 | static_image_caption = High Cross Street | static_image_2 = Coat of arms of St Austell.svg | static_image_2_width = 100 | static_image_2_caption = Coat of arms | country = England | map_type = Cornwall | official_name = St Austell | cornish_name = Sen Austel | coordinates = {{coord|50.34|-4.79|display=inline,title}} | population = 20,985 | population_ref = (Parish, 2021)<ref name=2021census>{{cite web |title=2021 Census Parish Profiles |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp |website=NOMIS |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=31 March 2025}} (To get individual parish data, use the query function on table PP002.)</ref><br>{{nowrap|24,360 (Built up area, 2021)<ref name=bua>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>}} | civil_parish = St Austell<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.staustell-tc.gov.uk/About_St_Austell_15216.aspx|title=About St Austell - St Austell Town Council|website=Staustell-tc.gov.uk|access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> | unitary_england = [[Cornwall Council]] | lieutenancy_england = [[Cornwall]] | region = South West England | constituency_westminster = [[St Austell and Newquay (UK Parliament constituency)|St Austell and Newquay]] | post_town = ST. AUSTELL | postcode_area = PL | postcode_district = PL25 | dial_code = 01726 | os_grid_reference = SX011524 | = | website = [https://www.staustell.co.uk www.staustell.co.uk] }}

'''St Austell''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɒ|s|t|əl}}, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔː|-}}; {{langx|kw|Sen Austel}}){{citation needed|date=June 2025}} is a town and [[civil parish]] in [[Cornwall]], England, United Kingdom, {{convert|10|mi}} south of [[Bodmin]] and {{convert|30|mi}} west of the border with [[Devon]].<ref>Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 200 ''Newquay & Bodmin'' {{ISBN|978-0-319-22938-5}}</ref>

At the [[2021–2022 United Kingdom censuses|2021 census]] the parish had a population of 20,985 and the built up area as defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]] had a population of 24,360.

==Toponymy== St Austell is named after [[Austol]], a 6th-century Cornish saint. A 10th-century manuscript at the [[Vatican City|Vatican]] includes a list of Cornish saints, which some authorities deduce is a list of Cornish parishes from around 900 AD, suggesting St Austell was already a parish by that time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pearse |first1=Roger |title=The first mention of St Austell, ca. 900 AD, in a Vatican manuscript |url=https://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2020/10/27/the-first-mention-of-st-austell-ca-900-ad-in-a-vatican-manuscript/ |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

==History== St Austell was a village centred around the parish church, until the arrival of significant [[tin mining]] in the 18th century turned it into a town.

St Austell is not mentioned in [[Domesday Book]] (1086). However, [[A. L. Rowse]], in his book ''St. Austell: Church, Town, and Parish'', cites records which show a church was dedicated on 9 October 1262 by [[Bishop Bronescombe]], and other records show a church there in 1169, dedicated to "Sanctus Austolus". The current church dates from the 13th–14th centuries, and was extended in 1498–99. The join between the two sections is still visible.<ref>St Austell Parish Church website, visited 11 May 2020.</ref>

In the time of [[Henry VIII]], St Austell is described as a poor village. In [[John Leland (antiquary)|John Leland]]'s ''Itinerary'' he says, in around 1542, "{{lang|en-emodeng|At S. Austelles is nothing notable but the paroch chirch}}".<ref>{{cite book|last=Leland|first=John|author-link=John Leland (antiquary)|title=Leland's Itinerary in England and Wales|editor=Lucy Toulmin Smith|editor-link=Lucy Toulmin Smith|publisher=Centaur Press|location=London|year=1964|volume=I|page=202|chapter=Part III}}</ref> Neither travel writer, [[John Norden]] (c. 1547 – 1625) or [[Richard Carew (antiquary)|Richard Carew]] (1555–1620) in his ''Survey of Cornwall'' mentioned St Austell as a place of any consequence. [[Oliver Cromwell]] granted a [[charter]] to hold a market on Friday, as a reward to a local [[gentleman]] who fought for him at the battle of [[Boconnoc]].<ref>Frederick Wilton Litchfield Stockdale, ''Excursions in the county of Cornwall'', p.62.</ref>

The village started to grow in the 18th century. The nearby [[Polgooth]] mine became known as the greatest [[tin]] mine in the world. Around 1760 the [[Land's End]] to [[Plymouth]] road went through the town.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gilbert |first=Davies |author-link=Davies Gilbert |title=The Parochial History of Cornwall |date=1838 |publisher=J. B. Nicholls and Son |location=London |page=47 |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Index:The_parochial_history_of_Cornwall.djvu}}</ref> Along with [[William Cookworthy]]'s discovery of [[china clay]] at [[Tregonning Hill]] in west Cornwall, and the same mineral, found in greater quantity in [[Hensbarrow]] downs north of St Austell, the town became more prominent.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=John R.|title=Cornwall's China-Clay Heritage|publisher=[[Twelveheads Press]]/Cornwall Archaeological Unit|location=[[Twelveheads]]|year=1992|page=3|chapter=Cookworthy and the Early Years|isbn=0-906294-25-8}}</ref>

[[Clay pit|China clay mining]] soon took over from [[tin]] and copper mining as the principal industry in the area, and this eventually contributed enormously to the growth of the town. The china clay industry really only came into its own during the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, at a time when the falling prices of tin and other metals forced many mines to close down or convert to clay mining. The success and high [[Profit (economics)|profitability]] of the industry attracted many families whose [[Breadwinner model|breadwinner]] had been put out of work by the [[Depression (economics)|depression]] in the local metal mining industry, and increased the population of the town considerably. This meant that more shops and businesses took root, providing more jobs and improving trade. This, along with other factors, led to St Austell becoming one of the ten most important commercial centres of Cornwall.

The town was a noted centre of [[Methodism]]. By 1839 ''[[The West Briton]]'' recorded 37 [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|non-conformist]] chapels in the town.

St Austell was connected to the electric telegraph network in 1863 when the [[Electric Telegraph Company|Electric and International Telegraph Company]] opened stations at Truro, Redruth, Penzance, Camborne, Liskard and St Austell.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=The Electric and International Telegraph Co. |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003586/19550407/096/0009 |newspaper=Royal Cornwall Gazette |location=England |date=18 September 1863 |access-date=23 March 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive }}</ref> [[File:St Austell, View along Fore Street - geograph.org.uk - 4670000.jpg|thumb|Fore Street looking towards Holy Trinity Church]]

===Redevelopment=== Work began in 1963 on a [[Brutalist architecture|brutalist-style]] [[Pedestrian zone|pedestrian precinct]] which included shops, offices, and flats. The design was by Alister MacDonald & Partners and the materials reinforced concrete with some [[Rock (geology)|stone]] facing.<ref name="Pevsner, N. 1970 pp. 156–158">[[Pevsner, N.]] (1970) Cornwall; 2nd ed. Penguin Books; pp. 156–58</ref>

In the 2000s this area of the town had become very outdated, and underwent a £75 million redevelopment process. In August 2007, developers David McLean and demolition team Gilpin moved onto the town centre site to complete the preparation, with the Filmcentre which was originally an [[Odeon Cinemas|Odeon]] cinema dating back to 1936, being demolished in late September/early October.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

In October 2007, the [[South West of England Regional Development Agency]] (SWRDA) announced the new development would be named ''White River Place''. It was also announced that 50% of shop units had been leased to High Street stores,<ref>''[[Cornish Guardian]]'', 3 October 2007</ref> with [[New Look (clothing retailer)|New Look]], [[Peacocks (clothing)|Peacocks]], Bonmarché and [[Wilko (retailer)|Wilko]] opening new stores. This would mean New Look relocating from its current premises in Fore Street and the return of Peacocks to St Austell following the demolition of its old store to make way for the new development. Bonmarché, New Look, Peacocks and Wilko have since closed.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

It was announced in October 2008 that the developer David McLean Developments had gone into administration and concern was expressed that this could jeopardise the completion of the project.<ref>''[[Cornish Guardian]]'', 27 October 2008.</ref>

The new White River Cinema opened its doors in December 2008 for the first time: the cinema is technically advanced and the first purpose-built cinema in Cornwall for over 60 years. The Torchlight Carnival was revived {{clarify|reason=Revived from when?|date=November 2016}} in November 2009 as a direct result of public demand through a survey conducted with local residents. The Torchlight Procession has become an important event in the town's calendar, heralding in the Winter celebrations and drawing thousands of people from across Cornwall and Devon. The event is run by a small group of non-affiliated [[Volunteering|volunteers]].{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}

The [[St Austell and Clay Country Eco-town]] is a plan for several new settlements around St Austell on old [[Imerys]] sites. It was given outline government approval in July 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=23347|title=Eco-town home page|publisher=Cornwall Council|access-date=7 November 2010}}</ref>

The [[Cornwall Council]] strategic planning committee voted in July 2011 to approve a £250 million [[beach resort]] scheme at [[Carlyon Bay]], St Austell. The development was initially proposed in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/World-class-development-approved-Carlyon-Bay/story-12890230-detail/story.html|title='World-class' development approved for Carlyon Bay|work=Cornish Guardian|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917112814/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/World-class-development-approved-Carlyon-Bay/story-12890230-detail/story.html|archive-date=17 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-13971168|title=Carlyon Bay development given the go ahead|work=BBC News|date=30 June 2011|access-date=26 November 2017}}</ref>

==Climate== {{Weather box | width = auto | metric first = yes | single line = yes | location = St Austell, Bethel (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–1991) |Jan record high C = 13.9 |Feb record high C = 13.9 |Mar record high C = 17.8 |Apr record high C = 22.4 |May record high C = 25.3 |Jun record high C = 30.7 |Jul record high C = 28.7 |Aug record high C = 28.4 |Sep record high C = 26.7 |Oct record high C = 21.7 |Nov record high C = 17.2 |Dec record high C = 15.5 |Jan record low C = -9.5 |Feb record low C = -8.6 |Mar record low C = -6.1 |Apr record low C = -2.7 |May record low C = -1.0 |Jun record low C = 3.8 |Jul record low C = 6.0 |Aug record low C = 6.7 |Sep record low C = 4.2 |Oct record low C = 0.2 |Nov record low C = -3.8 |Dec record low C = -5.6 |Jan high C = 9.5 |Feb high C = 9.7 |Mar high C = 11.3 |Apr high C = 13.3 |May high C = 16.2 |Jun high C = 18.1 |Jul high C = 20.6 |Aug high C = 20.4 |Sep high C = 18.5 |Oct high C = 15.0 |Nov high C = 12.3 |Dec high C = 10.2 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 6.8 |Feb mean C = 6.9 |Mar mean C = 8.1 |Apr mean C = 9.6 |May mean C = 12.2 |Jun mean C = 14.5 |Jul mean C = 16.9 |Aug mean C = 16.8 |Sep mean C = 14.8 |Oct mean C = 12.0 |Nov mean C = 9.4 |Dec mean C = 7.5 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 4.0 |Feb low C = 4.0 |Mar low C = 4.8 |Apr low C = 5.8 |May low C = 8.1 |Jun low C = 10.9 |Jul low C = 13.2 |Aug low C = 13.1 |Sep low C = 11.0 |Oct low C = 9.0 |Nov low C = 6.5 |Dec low C = 4.7 | year low C = 7.9 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 133.0 |Feb precipitation mm = 109.2 |Mar precipitation mm = 95.1 |Apr precipitation mm = 77.3 |May precipitation mm = 66.8 |Jun precipitation mm = 75.3 |Jul precipitation mm = 84.8 |Aug precipitation mm = 85.2 |Sep precipitation mm = 88.9 |Oct precipitation mm = 126.2 |Nov precipitation mm = 151.0 |Dec precipitation mm = 136.4 |year precipitation mm = 1229.0 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm | Jan precipitation days = 16.7 | Feb precipitation days = 12.8 | Mar precipitation days = 14.5 | Apr precipitation days = 11.9 | May precipitation days = 10.7 | Jun precipitation days = 9.6 | Jul precipitation days = 10.4 | Aug precipitation days = 11.2 | Sep precipitation days = 11.1 | Oct precipitation days = 15.8 | Nov precipitation days = 16.8 | Dec precipitation days = 16.2 | year precipitation days =157.6 |Jan sun = 51.2 |Feb sun = 74.5 |Mar sun = 114.3 |Apr sun = 178.6 |May sun = 213.0 |Jun sun = 211.5 |Jul sun = 186.4 |Aug sun = 191.6 |Sep sun = 157.7 |Oct sun = 111.5 |Nov sun = 66.0 |Dec sun = 50.7 |year sun = 1606.9 | source 1 = [[Met Office]] (precipitation days 1981–2010)<ref name="MetOffice">{{cite web |url = https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gbuw75d29 |title = St Austell (Cornwall) UK climate averages - Met Office |publisher = Met Office |access-date = 15 December 2024}}</ref> | source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web |url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmax_map.php |title= Monthly Extreme Maximum Temperature, Monthly Extreme Minimum Temperature |publisher=Starlings Roost Weather |access-date= 16 December 2024 }}</ref> }}

==Governance== There are two tiers of local government covering St Austell at [[Parish council (England)|parish]] (town) and [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] level: St Austell Town Council and [[Cornwall Council]]. The town council is based at the Stable Block of Pondhu House on Penwinnick Road.<ref name=TC>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://www.staustell-tc.gov.uk/Contact_Us_16510.aspx |website=St Austell Town Council |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

St Austell is in the parliamentary constituency of [[St Austell and Newquay (UK Parliament constituency)|St Austell and Newquay]] which was created in 2010 by the [[Boundary Commission for England]] (increasing the number of seats in Cornwall from five to six). Before 2010 it was in the [[Truro and St Austell (UK Parliament constituency)|Truro and St Austell]] seat.

===Administrative history=== St Austell was an [[ancient parish]] in the [[Hundreds of Cornwall|Powder Hundred]] of Cornwall. The parish covered an extensive rural area as well as the settlement of St Austell itself.<ref name=VoB>{{cite web |title=St Austell Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10284984 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> By the 16th century, the neighbouring parish of [[St Blazey]] had come to be deemed a [[chapelry]] of St Austell for ecclesiastical purposes, but was still treated as a separate parish for civil purposes. St Blazey regained its ecclesiastical independence from St Austell in 1844.<ref name=Youngs>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Volume 1: Southern England |date=1979 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0901050679 |page=67}}</ref>

In 1864 a [[Local Government Act 1858|local government district]] was created covering just the settlement of St Austell, administered by an elected local board. Such districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] under the [[Local Government Act 1894]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Cornwall |date=1914 |page=26 |url=https://leicester.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/296078/rec/1 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> The 1894 Act also directed that civil parishes could no longer straddle district boundaries, and so the part of the old St Austell parish outside the urban district became a separate parish called St Austell Rural.<ref>{{cite web |title=St Austell Rural Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10122132 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diagram of Cornwall showing administrative boundaries, 1921 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/241241896 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=15 September 2025}}</ref>

The urban district was significantly enlarged in 1934, when it absorbed the civil parishes of St Austell Rural, [[Mevagissey]], St Blazey, and [[Tywardreath]], subject to some adjustments to the boundaries with other neighbouring parishes.<ref name=UDVoB/> To coincide with its expansion in 1934, the urban district council bought a large house called Clynton at 75 Truro Road to serve as its headquarters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Greater St Austell |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0004246%2F19340531&page=9 |access-date=14 September 2025 |work=Newquay Express |date=31 May 1934 |page=9}}</ref> St Austell Urban District was abolished in 1968, when it merged with the neighbouring borough of [[Fowey]] to become a short-lived borough called [[St Austell with Fowey]].<ref name=UDVoB>{{cite web |title=St Austell Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10108410 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

[[File:St Austell , Dithmarschen Road - geograph.org.uk - 3382589.jpg|thumb|Former Restormel Borough Council headquarters at 39 Penwinnick Road, completed 1980]] The borough of St Austell with Fowey was abolished six years later in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], when the area became part of the new borough of [[Restormel]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145 |website=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |access-date=4 December 2021 |date=28 March 1974}}</ref> Restormel Borough Council based itself in St Austell, initially spread across several buildings, including 75 Truro Road where meetings were held,<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Year Book |date=1976 |publisher=Municipal Journal |page=837}}</ref> before consolidating its headquarters at a new building at 39 Penwinnick Road, built in the grounds of Pondhu House, which opened in 1980.<ref>{{cite news |title=Good start |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000329%2F19801001&page=6 |access-date=15 September 2025 |work=Western Morning News |date=1 October 1980 |location=Plymouth |page=6}}</ref>

The area of the former borough of St Austell with Fowey became an [[unparished area]] as a result of the 1974 reforms. In 1983 new civil parishes of Fowey, Mevagissey, St Blaise, [[Treverbyn]], and Tywardreath were created from parts of the former borough of St Austell with Fowey, leaving just the central part unparished, including St Austell itself.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Restormel (Parishes) Order 1983 |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221202003052mp_/https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/12458/restormel-parishes-order-1983.pdf |website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref>

Restormel was abolished in 2009. Cornwall County Council then took on district-level functions, making it a unitary authority, and was renamed Cornwall Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008|year=2008|number=491|access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009|year=2009|number=837|article=3}}</ref> As part of the 2009 reforms the remaining unparished area around St Austell was split into four parishes: St Austell, [[St Austell Bay]], [[Carlyon]], and [[Pentewan Valley]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7766589.stm|title=Town and parishes to get councils|work=BBC News website|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 December 2008 | date=5 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Restormel (Parishes) Order 2008 |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221202003053mp_/https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/12671/the-restormel-parishes-order-2008.pdf |website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=15 September 2025}}</ref> The parish council for the new parish of St Austell adopted the name St Austell Town Council.<ref name=TC/>

The arms of St Austell are Argent a [[saltire]] [[raguly]] Gules.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pascoe|first=W. H.|title=A Cornish Armory|page=134|year=1979|publisher=Lodenek Press|location=Padstow, Cornwall|isbn=0-902899-76-7}}</ref>

==Economy== St Austell is the main centre of the china clay [[Industry (economics)|industry]] in Cornwall and employs around 2,200 people {{as of|2006|lc=on}}, with sales of £195 million.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.ceramfed.co.uk/download/key-topic-326.pdf| publisher= Office of the Deputy Prime Minister | author= British Geological Survey |date=January 2006 | title= Kaolin Mineral Planning Factsheet | access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref><ref>Imerys Minerals Limited (2003) ''Blueprint: Vision for the Future''</ref>

The [[St Austell Brewery]], which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001, supplies [[cask ale]] to pubs in Cornwall and other parts of the country. Its flagship beer is ''St Austell Tribute''; a number of other ales are brewed but are less commonly sold outside Cornwall. St Austell Brewery's first public house, The Seven Stars Inn, purchased in 1863, still stands on East Hill in the town but has closed as a public house; the building is let by the Brewery at 'minimal rent' to a charity providing an educational facility for young people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vergnault |first=Olivier |date=2023-11-19 |title=The pub that is now helping young people to a brighter future |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/st-austell-brewery-first-ever-8909552 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Cornwall Live |language=en}}</ref> Tregonissey House, the site of the company's first steam brewery, built in 1870, can also be seen in Market Hill. A brewery museum and visitor centre is open to the public on the present brewery site in Trevarthian Road.

===Tourism=== [[File:St. Austell Bay - Market House - 20230913101120.jpg|left|thumb|[[St Austell Market House]]]] [[File:Eden Project geodesic domes panorama.jpg|thumb|right|Panoramic view of the geodesic biome domes at the Eden Project]] As in much of Cornwall and neighbouring counties, tourism is increasingly important to St Austell's economy. Tourists are drawn to the area by nearby beaches and [[tourist attraction]]s such as the [[Eden Project]], sited in a former [[clay pit]], and the [[Lost Gardens of Heligan]]. The [[Wheal Martyn|China Clay Country Park]], in a former china-clay pit {{convert|2|mi|0|spell=in}} north of the town, tells the story of the men, women and children who lived, worked and played in the shadow of the clay tips around St Austell.

St Austell is home to several [[public house]]s, numerous [[high street]] retailers, and several independent shops, many of which cater for tourists. The town has a small museum which is situated in [[St Austell Market House]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.staustell.co.uk/discover/the-st-austell-market-house/|title=St Austell Market House|publisher=St Austell |access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>

A Brewery Museum and Visitor Centre is situated on the site of the St Austell Brewery in Trevarthian Road.

===Newspaper and radio=== The town has two weekly newspapers: * ''[[St Austell Guardian]]'', part of the [[Cornish Guardian]] series published by [[Cornwall and Devon Media]] Ltd, has a long history in the town and is published on Friday. * ''[[St Austell Voice]]'', sister paper to the ''[[Newquay Voice]]'', had offices close to the town centre in Truro Road, but has since moved to Old Vicarage Place. It is published on Wednesday.

[[Radio St Austell Bay]] is a local radio station which broadcasts from studios at Tregorrick Park. It launched in January 2008 to cover the area from [[Trewoon]] in the west to [[Tywardreath]] in the east.

==Landmarks== [[File:St Austell Snow 030209 011.jpg|thumb|right|Holy Trinity Church, St Austell]] Notable Cornish architect [[Silvanus Trevail]] designed a number of St Austell's buildings and houses, including the Thin End and the Moorland Road [[Terraced house|terrace]]. Other notable architects from St Austell include John Goode, who contributed considerably during the 1970s to residential developments in the area.

[[Pevsner, Nikolaus, Sir|Pevsner]] remarks in his guide to Cornwall that the following buildings are notable:<ref name="Pevsner, N. 1970 pp. 156–158"/> *The Parish Church *The Old Market Hall, in Italian Renaissance style, 1844 *Friends Meeting House, 1829, a plain granite structure *Masonic Hall, South Street, 1900<ref>Cryer, Revd N B (1989) ''Masonic Halls of England: The South'' Shepperton: Ian Allan, pp 107–114</ref> and is home to nine Masonic bodies<ref>Province of Cornwall (2012) ''Cornwall Masonic Year Book 2012–2013''</ref> *White Hart Hotel: once contained panoramic wallpaper of the Bay of Naples by [[Joseph Dufour et Cie|Dufour]] (now in the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O195676/vues-ditalie-la-baie-de-wallpaper-dufour-cie/|title=Vues d'Italie; La Baie de Naples|date=15 April 2024 |publisher=Victoria and Albert Museum}}</ref> *Holy Well at Menacuddle *Three buildings of the 1960s: Penrice School, 1960; Public Library, 1961; former Magistrates' Court, 1966

==Media== ===Television=== Local TV coverage is provided by [[BBC South West]] and [[ITV West Country]]. Television signals are received from the [[Caradon Hill transmitting station|Caradon Hill]] and local relay TV transmitters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Caradon_Hill|title=Full Freeview on the Caradon Hill (Cornwall, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/St_Austell|title=Freeview Light on the St Austell (Cornwall, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>

===Radio=== Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Cornwall]] on 95.2 FM, [[Heart West]] on 105.1 FM, and [[Radio St Austell Bay|CHAOS Radio]], a community based station which broadcast from the town on 105.6 FM.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.staustell.co.uk/discover/radio-st-austell-bay/|title=Radio St Austell Bay|website=Discover St Austell|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>

===Newspapers=== The town is served by the local newspaper, St Austell Voice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voicenewspapers.co.uk/your-area/st-austell-voice|title=St Austell Voice|website=Voicenewspapers.co.uk|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>

==Transport== [[File:St Austell - GWR 150265+150125 Penzance service.JPG|thumb|[[St Austell railway station]]]] [[St Austell railway station]] was opened by the [[Cornwall Railway]] on 4 May 1859 on the hillside above the town centre. Two [[branch line]]s west of the town were later opened to serve the [[china clay]] industry; the [[Newquay and Cornwall Junction Railway]] which is still partly open, and the short-lived [[Trenance Valley line]].<ref>{{cite book| last = Bennett| first = Alan| title = The Great Western Railway in Mid Cornwall| publisher = Kingfisher Railway Publications| year = 1988| location = Southampton| isbn = 0-946184-53-4}}</ref> The independent [[narrow gauge]] [[Pentewan Railway]] ran from West Hill to the coast at [[Pentewan]]. The [[Cornish Main Line]] in St Austell is quite renowned for [[Cornwall Railway viaducts|its viaducts]] in the Gover Valley and Trenance areas of the town. The original timber structure was designed by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], it was {{convert|115|ft}} high, {{convert|720|ft}} long on 10 piers; it was replaced by a stone [[viaduct]] in 1899.<ref>{{cite book| last = Binding| first = John| title = Brunel's Cornish Viaducts| publisher = Atlantic Transport Publishing/Historical Model Railway Society| year = 1993| location = Penryn| isbn = 0-906899-56-7}}</ref>

There was a siding located west of the viaduct. In the early years trains from St Austell had to push wagons over the tall, curving viaduct to shunt this siding. The [[Great Western Railway]]'s instructions stated that: "Trucks may be pushed from St Austell to the Siding, but when this is done the speed of the Train between the two places must not exceed 8 miles an hour, and the head Guard must ride on the leading vehicle, unless it be a bonnet end one, in which case he must ride in the first low sided vehicle from it, to keep a good look out, and be prepared to give a signal to the Driver either by Day or Night, as may be required". Train services today operate west to {{stnlnk|Truro}} and {{stnlnk|Penzance}}, and east to {{stnlnk|Plymouth}} and [[Paddington railway station|London]]. There are also [[CrossCountry]] services on most days to the North of England and Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Rail Timetable 135 (Winter 2008)|publisher=Network Rail|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/eNRT/MDec08/timetables/Table135.pdf|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref>

The town's bus station faces the entrance to the railway station to offer an easy interchange between buses and trains. [[National Express Coaches|National Express]] coach services call here, a dedicated link operates to the [[Eden Project]], and local buses operate to villages such as [[Fowey]] and [[Mevagissey]]. The town can be accessed by the [[A390 road|A390]] which by-passes the town to the south on its way from [[Liskeard]] to [[Truro]], or by the [[A391 road|A391]] from [[Bodmin]], or by the [[A3058 road|A3058]] from [[Newquay]]. In addition there are the B3273 to Mevagissey, the B3274 to [[Padstow]] and the A3082 to Fowey.

===St Austell bus station=== [[File:St Austell Bus Station - First 31828 (R908RYO).jpg|thumb|St Austell bus station in June 2013]] The [[Great Western Railway]] started to operate what they called '[[GWR road motor services|road motors]]' from outside [[St Austell railway station]] on 3 August 1908. These first services ran to {{stnlnk|St Columb Road}} via [[St Dennis, Cornwall|St Dennis]]. A bus garage was later provided nearby in Eliot Road, next to the railway's new goods yard to the east of the station. The network was progressively extended over the next twenty years, after which time the services were transferred to the [[Western National]] Omnibus Company, formed in 1929 to free the railway company from its bus services and avoid complaints about its transport monopoly.<ref>{{cite book|last=Cummings|first=John|title=Railway Motor Buses and Bus Services in the British Isles 1902–1933, volume 2|publisher=Oxford Publishing Company|date=1980|location=Headington|isbn=0-86093-050-5}}</ref>

The closure of the goods yard on the south side of the railway station in 1979 allowed the area to be reused as the town's bus station.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Oakley |first1=Mike |title=Cornwall Railway Stations |date=2009 |publisher=The Dovecote Press |isbn=978-1-904-34968-6 |pages=109–110}}</ref> It was redeveloped again in 2008, the improved facilities being opened on 3 November. It has seven stands and shares facilities such as a taxi rank and buffet with the railway station. Most local bus services are part of the [[Transport for Cornwall]] network and provided by [[Plymouth Citybus|Go Cornwall Bus]], while long-distance coach services are part of the [[National Express Coaches]] network.

==Education== St Austell has three comprehensive schools, [[Poltair School]], formerly the grammar school, and [[Penrice Academy]]; together with [[Brannel School]] which is situated in the nearby village of [[St Stephen-in-Brannel]]. All three are part of an academy trust called CELT ([[Cornwall Education and Learning Trust]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Academies|url=https://celtrust.org/academies|access-date=9 July 2020|website=Cornwall Education Learning Trust|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[The Cornwall College Group|Cornwall College]] St Austell is a Further & Higher Education institution incorporating the former St Austell Sixth Form Centre and Mid Cornwall College of Further Education. The college is based at John Keay House, which is also home to the college group's headquarters.

There are a number of primary schools within the town.<ref>{{Cite web|title=All Schools In St Austell, Cornwall{{!}}Schools Insight|url=https://www.schoolsinsight.co.uk/schools/st-austell|access-date=9 July 2020|website=Schoolsinsight.co.uk}}</ref>

==Health services== [[File:St. Austell Community Hospital - geograph.org.uk - 195982.jpg|thumb|St Austell Community Hospital]] [[File:St John's Methodist Church, St Austell - geograph.org.uk - 1313467.jpg|thumb|St John's Methodist Church (built 1828 and restored in 1882)]] St Austell has its own hospital, [[St Austell Community Hospital]], formerly called Penrice Hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-bucks-negative-trend-midwife-2713628|title=Cornwall bucks negative trend as midwife-led birthing centre opens 24/7|publisher=Cornwall Live|date=3 April 2019|access-date=10 January 2020}}</ref>

==Religious sites== The [[Church of England|church]] was originally dedicated to St [[Austol]], a [[Breton language|Breton]] saint associated with St Meven, but is now [[Holy Trinity Church, St Austell|dedicated to the Holy Trinity]]. By 1150 it had been appropriated to the [[Tywardreath Priory|Priory of Tywardreath]] by the [[Cardinham]]s: this continued until 1535. There was originally a [[Normans|Norman]] church here, of which some remains may be seen.

The present church is of the 15th century and is large because the mediaeval parish was also a large one: the tower is impressive. All four outside walls bear sculptural groups in carved niches: the Twelve Apostles in three groups on the north, east and south; the Holy Trinity above the Annunciation and below that the Risen Christ between two saints on the west. The tower can be dated to between 1478 and 1487 by the arms of Bishop Courtenay, and the walls are faced in [[Pentewan stone]].<ref>Pevsner, N. (1970) ''Cornwall''; 2nd ed., revised by Enid Radcliffe. Penguin Books</ref>

The tower and other parts of the church have an interior lining of granite<ref>Roberts, E. (1967) ''The Story of St Austell Parish Church'' Ramsgate: The Church Publishers</ref> On the south side of the church, a formerly separate [[chantry]] has been incorporated into the church when it was extended. (The chantry itself was abolished in 1543.)

There are holy wells at [[Menacuddle]] and Towan.<ref>''Cornish Church Guide'' (1925) Truro: Blackford; p. 57</ref> A new organ was placed on the north side of the chancel in 1880 and the first recital was held on 22 April. The organ was built by Messrs [[Henry Bryceson|Bryceson Brothers and Ellis]] and cost circa £600.<ref>{{cite news|title=St Austell. Organ Recital On The New Church Organ|work=The Cornishman|issue=94|date=29 April 1880|page=7}}</ref> The church is dedicated to the [[Holy Trinity]], is Grade I listed, and seats 300.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Truro Diocesan Directory 2008|publisher=Truro Diocesan Board of Finance|pages=60–61}}</ref> There is a Cornish cross in the churchyard which was found buried in the ground on the manor of Treverbyn in 1879.<ref>Langdon, A. G. (1896) ''Old Cornish Crosses''. Truro: Joseph Pollard; p. 253</ref> This cross was erected in the churchyard on a new base in 1879. Another cross is in the grounds of a house originally known as Moor Cottage. This house was built in 1819; the cross was brought from Hewas in the parish of [[Ladock]].<ref>Langdon, A. G. (2002) ''Stone Crosses in Mid Cornwall''; 2nd ed. Federation of Old Cornwall Societies; p. 22</ref>

[[Image:Flag of St Austell Parish.svg|thumb|Flag of St Austell Parish, which is flown from the tower of the Holy Trinity Church<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.staustellparish.uk/our-parish-flag |title=Our Parish Flag |author= |date= |work=St Austell Parish |access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref>]]

The parish of St Austell was part of the [[Archdeacon of Cornwall|archdeaconry of Cornwall]] and [[Diocese of Exeter]] until 1876 when the [[Diocese of Truro]] was established. A new rural deanery of St Austell was established in 1875. The style of worship of the parish church is in the [[Low Church|Evangelical]] tradition of the [[Church of England]]. The two chapels-of-ease are All Saints, [[Pentewan]], and St Levan's, [[Higher Porthpean]]. In the 19th century the following parishes were created out of St Austell parish: St Blazey (1845); Charlestown (1846), Treverbyn (1847) and Par (1846 out of St Blazey and Tywardreath).

===Quakers=== There was formerly a Quaker burial ground at [[Polgooth|Tregongeeves]], just outside the town on the [[A390 road|Truro Road]]. It was covered by about {{convert|6|ft|1}} of earth removed from the building of the new road in the 1960s. A high stone wall bounds the remaining acre of land; access can be gained through a wrought iron gate.

Approximately forty of the headstones from Tregongeeves were removed and are now located at the Friends meeting house in the High Cross Street in St Austell, just below the high wall which surrounds St Austell railway station. That meeting house is still in use.

==Sport== [[File:Joseph Menear 1864.jpg|thumb|upright|'''Joseph Menear''' London champion many times<ref name="ISNTMR02041864">Illustrated Sporting News and Theatrical and Musical Review, 2 April 1864, p1.</ref>]][[File:Thomas Stone 1899.jpg|thumb|upright|'''Thomas Stone''' 1899 heavyweight champion<ref name="CG18031937">''Death of Mr Tom Stone'', Cornish Guardian, 18 March 1937, p10.</ref>]]

===Cornish wrestling=== St Austell has been a major centre for [[Cornish wrestling]] for centuries. The ancient traditional location for wrestling tournaments was the Bull Ring, behind the stables at the White Hart Inn. Other places used for Cornish wrestling tournaments include: * The Wrestling Downs was also a traditional place for wrestling tournaments, opposite Polkyth, that initially were built on in the 1930s making Tremayne Place.<ref name="CG10031932">''Cornish wrestling open tournament at Bethel St Austell'', Cornish Guardian, 10 March 1932, p5.</ref> * Wrestling Green which was another traditional venue for wrestling tournaments, which was very close to the Wrestling Downs. * Fairfield - located above St Austell station, opposite the library.<ref name="RCG20061862">Royal Cornwall Gazette, 20 June 1862.</ref> * Mount Charles - tournaments were held here in the 1800s and 1900s.<ref name="RCG01061872">Royal Cornwall Gazette, 1 June 1872.</ref><ref name="CG22071921">Cornish Guardian - Friday 22 July 1921.</ref> * St Austell football field - there were many tournaments held in the St Austell football field as soon as it was built. Note that this replaced the use of Fairfield (which is relatively close by).<ref name="RCG24051900">Royal Cornwall Gazette, 24 May 1900.</ref> * The Public Rooms were used for Cornish wrestling tournaments and challenge matches.<ref name="CG18111954">Cornish Guardian, 18 November 1954.</ref> * West Hill School playing fields associated with West Hill School, were used for wrestling tournaments.<ref name="CG11081955">Cornish Guardian, 11 August 1955.</ref>

Many famous Cornish wrestlers came from St Austell including Jacob Halls, James Bullocke, Samuel Rundle, Joseph Menear, Philip Hancock and Thomas Stone. Others who were successful in [[Cornish Wrestling#United States|Cornish wrestling in the United States]] include Thomas Eudy, John Tippett and John H Rowett.

St Austell was at one time well known for a couple of techniques: * [[Cornish Wrestling Throws#Flying Mare|Hancock Slew]]: This was also spelt Slue.<ref name="FNN14101893">''Cornish wrestling'', Football News (Nottingham), 14 October 1893, p6.</ref> This throw was invented by [[Cornish Wrestling#Cornwall|Philip Hancock]] (who was from St Austell). It involves grasping the ropes of the jacket and using these to propel your opponent over your shoulder. It is a very dangerous throw and is now called the [[Cornish Wrestling Throws#Flying Mare|Flying Mare]].<ref name="C05101921">Hooper, W Tregoning: ''The Mullion and other champion wrestlers'', Cornishman, 5 October 1921, p3.</ref> * [[Cornish Wrestling Throws#Lock Arm|Lock Arm]]: At the end of the 1800s the St Austell wrestlers were renowned for this throw, which involved locking the opponent’s arm with your arm, so as to make them vulnerable to a range of throws.<ref name="C28081884">''Wrestling matches at Redruth'', Cornishman, 28 August 1884, p6.</ref>

Currently there is a Cornish wrestling club, open to the public, which meets every Monday from 7pm to 9pm above the St Austell rifle club, by the football club opposite [[Poltair School]].

===Speedway=== [[Motorcycle speedway|Speedway]] racing first took place a venue called Rocky Park, under the name "[[St Austell Gulls]]". The sport was a hit during various years, between 1949 and 1963 at the [[Cornish Stadium]]. The sport returned to the area in the late 1990s, in the Clay Country Moto Parc, located at Old Pound, [[Nanpean]].

The club operated as the St Austell Gulls for four years, until the club changed ownership, and moved up a league to the [[Premier League (speedway)|Premier League]], re-formed as the [[Trelawny Tigers|Trelawny JAG Tigers]], until site owners Imerys Minerals Ltd ended the lease. Speedway has not been held in Cornwall since. Many attempts have been made to re-introduce the sport, but none have got past planning permission. The two highest-profile bids were at Par Moor Motor Museum and St Eval Raceway. The owner of the land for the Par Moor bid confirmed that he would rent the land for speedway but locals objected. The St Eval bid failed after residents expressed fears about noise.

===Stock car racing=== [[Stock car racing]], promoted by 1950s Kiwi Speedway star [[Trevor Redmond]], ran side by side with speedway on numerous occasions. Numerous championships were run here, including the 1972 [[BriSCA Formula 1 Stock Cars|BriSCA]] World Championship for Formula 2 cars, won by Jimmy Murray from Northern Ireland. It closed its doors in 1987.

===Greyhound racing=== A [[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|greyhound racing]] track was also opened at the Cornish Stadium and traded from 1958 to 1986. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the [[National Greyhound Racing Club]]) and was known as a flapping track, which was the nickname given to independent tracks.<ref>{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 419|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books|isbn=0-948955-15-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://greyhoundracingtimes.co.uk/2019/02/03/st-austell/|title=St Austell Greyhound Stadium|work=Greyhound Racing Times|date=3 February 2019}}</ref>

===Football=== [[A.F.C. St Austell]] was formed on 17 September 1890. In 1908 the club won its first trophy: the Cornwall Charity Cup. The club achieved some success in the late 1920s and 1930s, winning the Senior Cup and Charity Cup twice. In May 2009, the team won the Senior Cup with a closely fought 3–2 victory over [[Saltash United F.C.|Saltash United]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Club history|work=St Austell AFC|url=http://staustellafc.wetpaint.com/page/Club+History|access-date=24 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517055221/http://staustellafc.wetpaint.com/page/Club+History|archive-date=17 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>. They are members of {{English football updater|StAustel}}.

===Rugby and tennis=== Tregorrick Park is the home of [[St Austell RFC]], St Austell Tennis Club and Cornwall Table Tennis Centre. [[St Austell RFC]] play in the [[Tribute Western Counties West]] league and the club supports two senior teams, a ladies team and 14 youth teams covering most age groups. Founded in 1963 St Austell RFC has played at the Tregorrick Park ground since their move from Cromwell Road in the 1980s to make way for the [[Asda]] supermarket.

Tregorrick Park also hosts a gym, sports hall, squash courts, bar, function room and holds local events such as firework displays and schools cross country competitions.

===Cricket=== [[Wheal Eliza]] cricket ground is the home of [[St Austell Cricket Club]], and is also used for Minor Counties matches. The club supports four senior teams, a ladies' team and youth teams. Facilities at [[Wheal Eliza]] includes two playing fields with their own changing room facilities enabling the club to hold two competitive matches every match day. The club also has a pavilion, scorebox, artificial and grass nets.

===Baseball=== In 2017, the St Austell Claycutters baseball club was established to compete in the South West Baseball League. While the team are named and associated with St. Austell, all outdoor training and home games are held on the sports fields at [[Fowey River Academy]] in [[Fowey]].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

===Golf=== There are three 18-hole golf courses located around St Austell; St Austell Golf Club, Carlyon Bay Golf Club, and Porthpean Golf Club. St Austell Golf Club is the only one that has a driving range as well as being the oldest of the three, being founded in 1911,<ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|access-date=14 April 2024|url=https://staustellgolf.co.uk/our-history/|website=Staustellgolf.co.uk}}</ref> with Carlyon Bay being designed a year later in 1912.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|access-date=14 April 2024|url=https://carlyongolf.com/about/history|website=Carlyongolf.com}}</ref> There used to be a 9-hole course known as St Austell Bay but since 2014 this has been turned into a 36-hole football-golf course known as Cornwall Football Golf.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=14 April 2024|title=Home Page|url=https://cornwallfootballgolf.co.uk|website=Cornwallfootballgolf.co.uk}}</ref>

===Swimming=== St Austell (Sharks) Amateur swimming club has a long history in St Austell. Founded on the original [[waterpolo]] team based in Charlestown post-WWI, the association with waterpolo at the club continues. The club has both a junior and mixed adult team and still holds exhibition matches at the annual Charleston regatta week celebration in July in the harbour. The swimming club regularly trains at Polkyth Leisure centre and is open to 8years+ through to masters level. The Sharks swimmers compete at Cornwall county level with swimmers often achieving entry to both regional and national level competition.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

==Notable people== [[File:Samuel Drew b1765.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Samuel Drew]], 1820]] [[File:MaryCorinneQuintrell.tif|thumb|upright|[[Mary Corinne Quintrell]], 1918]] [[File:Official portrait of Mr Steve Baker MP crop 1.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Steve Baker (politician)|Steve Baker]], 2020]] *[[Samuel Drew]] (1765–1833), a British Methodist theologian.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle= Drew, Samuel |volume= 8 |pages= 578-579 |short=1}}</ref> *[[Jonathan Crowther (minister)|Jonathan Crowther]] (1794 – 1856), Wesleyan Methodist minister, born in St Austell<ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle=Crowther, Jonathan (1794-1856)|volume=13}}</ref> *[[Paul Rapsey Hodge]] (1808–1871), English-American inventor and mechanical engineer, born in St Austell<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Paul_Rapsey_Hodge#cite_ref-13 |title=Paul Rapsey Hodge |work=Who's Who in Engineering |author=Grace's Guide to British Industrial History |publisher=Grace's Guide Ltd |access-date=19 March 2017 }}</ref> *[[John Colenso|John William Colenso]] (1814 - 1883), mathematician, biblical scholar and first [[Diocese of Natal|Bishop of Natal]]<ref>{{MacTutor|id=Cplenso|title=John William Colenso}}</ref><ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle= Colenso, John William |volume= 6 |page= 666 |short=1}}</ref> *[[William Tallack]] (1831–1908), a prison reformer and writer.<ref>{{Cite DNB12 |wstitle= Tallack, William |volume= 3 |first= Alexander |last= Gordon |author-link= Alexander Gordon (Unitarian) |pages= 474-475 |year=1912|short= 1}}</ref> *[[Mary Corinne Quintrell]] (1839–1918), English-born American educator and clubwoman, born in St Austell<ref name="ECH">[http://ech.case.edu/cgi/article.pl?id=QMC "Mary Corinne Quintrell"] in ''The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History'' (Case Western Reserve University, 1997).</ref> * [[T. G. Vawdrey]] (1850–1940), an English physician, surgeon and anti-vivisection activist. *[[Alice Hext]] (1865–1939), philanthropist, garden developer, magistrate and owner of the [[Trebah]] Estate *[[Hester Parnall]] (1868–1939), English brewer and businesswoman and chair of [[St Austell Brewery]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=B |first=Lizzie |date=2022-12-22 |title=Hester Parnall (1868-1939) |url=https://womenwhomeantbusiness.com/2022/12/22/hester-parnall-1868-1939/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Women Who Meant Business |language=en}}</ref> *[[Marshel Arthur]] (1879–1962), a china clay worker and historian *[[Maurice Petherick]] (1894–1985), politician and MP for [[Penryn & Falmouth]] from 1931 to 1945 *[[Alfred Leslie Rowse]] (1903–1997), a British historian, political thinker and writer, educated in St Austell<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/100|title=Richard Ollard; ''A Man of Contradictions: A Life of A. L. Rowse''|website=History.ac.uk|access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> *[[Andrew Saunders]] (1931–2009), a well-recognised expert in [[artillery]] [[fortifications]]; Chief Inspector of [[Historic England]], 1973 and 1989. *[[John Nettles]] (born 1943), actor, played a role in ''[[Bergerac (TV series)|Bergerac]]'' raised in St Austell<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/real-life/john-nettles-talks-cornish-childhood-7398026 |title=John Nettles overcame troubled Cornish childhood to become TV star |date=30 July 2022 |publisher=Cornwalllive.com |access-date=15 July 2023}}</ref> *[[Vaughn Toulouse]] (1959–1991), British singer; founding member of [[Department S (band)|Department S]], raised in St Austell<ref name="Cornwall">{{cite web |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/cornwall-pop-star-vaughn-toulouse-5439324|title=Cornwall pop star Vaughn Toulouse of Department S who died far too young|date=23 May 2021|work=Cornwall Live|first=Lee|last=Trewhela|access-date=6 August 2021}}</ref><ref name="metafilter">{{cite web|url=http://www.metafilter.com/73703/the-night-is-young-the-mood-is-mellow|title=The night is young, the mood is mellow...|publisher=MetaFilter|access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> *[[Steve Double]] (born 1966), politician, MP for [[St Austell and Newquay]] from 2015 to 2024 *[[Steve Baker (politician)|Steve Baker]] (born 1971), British politician, MP for [[Wycombe (UK Parliament constituency)|Wycombe]], 2010-2024, born in St Austell<ref>[http://www.ukwhoswho.com Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706115321/http://www.ukwhoswho.com/ |date=6 July 2008 }}, ukwhoswho.com. Retrieved 12 May 2015. {{nonspecific|date=July 2022}}</ref> *[[Dan Rogerson]] (born 1975), a Cornish politician and MP for [[North Cornwall (UK Parliament constituency)|North Cornwall]], from 2005 to 2015. === Sport === *[[Alan Cowland]] (1941–2005), motorcycle speedway rider, who represented England *[[Nigel Martyn]] (born 1966), England goalkeeper, he played 666 games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/nigel-martyn-234/|title=Nigel Martyn|website=11v11.com|access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> *[[Andy Reed (rugby union)|Andy Reed]] (born 1969), rugby union player, he played 108 games for [[Wasps RFC]] & 18 for [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] *[[Mike Elliott (Formula One)|Mike Elliott]] (born 1974), British Formula One [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamicist]].

==See also== {{Portal|Cornwall}} [[File:St Austell Brewery-by-Tony-Atkin.jpg|thumb|St Austell Brewery]] * [[Boscoppa]], a suburb of St Austell * [[Carclaze]], a suburb of St Austell * [[Charlestown, Cornwall|Charlestown]], the port of St Austell * [[Municipal Borough of St Austell with Fowey|St Austell with Fowey]], a former local government area * [[St Stephen-in-Brannel]], a district of village near St Austell * [[Sticker, Cornwall|Sticker]], a village near St Austell * [[Treverbyn]], a nearby village and parish * [[Trewoon]], a village near St Austell * [[:Category:People from St Austell|People from St Austell]] * [[HMS St Austell Bay (K634)|HMS ''St Austell Bay'' (K634)]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading==  * Hammond, Joseph (1897) ''St Austell: being an account of St Austell, town, church, district and people''. London: Skeffington & Son * Rowse, A. L. (1960) ''St Austell: Church, Town, Parish''. St Austell: H. E. Warne * Roberts, E (1967) ''The Story of St Austell Parish Church'', Ramsgate: The Church Publishers

==External links== {{Commons category|St Austell}} {{EB1911 poster|St Austell}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100709001504/http://www.staustelltowncouncil.com/ St Austell Town Council] * [http://crocat.cornwall.gov.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=Overview.tcl&dsqSearch=((text)='st%20austell') Cornwall Record Office Online Catalogue for St Austell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202224/http://crocat.cornwall.gov.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=Overview.tcl&dsqSearch=((text)='st%20austell') |date=3 March 2016 }} * {{Wikivoyage inline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Austell}} [[Category:St Austell| ]] [[Category:Civil parishes in Cornwall]] [[Category:Cornish Killas]] [[Category:Towns in Cornwall]] [[Category:Coinage Towns]]