Allantide at Wheal Martyn

Follow our trail and search out the apples around Wheal Martyn to discover about the history of food and feast days in Cornwall and Cornish language words.

Allantide is a Cornish festival celebrating the ‘first day of winter’ on 31st October. Historically, red apples were given to families as a sign of good luck and to celebrate Saint Allan.

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm (last admission 3.00pm)

Price: Included in standard museum admission

Contact: [email protected]

Location: Wheal Martyn grounds

Latest

Apple-solutely Fun Activities

Enjoy a series of apple-themed activities this half term in celebration of Allantide, a Cornish festival celebrating the ‘first day of winter’ on 31 October.
People of the Industry breakfast

Treat yourself to a delicious full Cornish breakfast at Wheal Martyn where you’ll be joined by our knowledgeable volunteers who have worked in the china clay industry, before they lead you on a fascinating guided tour of the historic china clay works.
Life as a kettle boy

It was common to leave school and go straight into the china clay mining industry at 15 or 16 years old. Historically, the first role in the industry was kettle or tool boy. This involved running errands, warming pasties and making tea.
Classic Car Rally

Bring along your classic vehicle to display around the historic Wheal Martyn grounds or come along and enjoy the vehicles on show.

Apple-solutely Fun Activities

Enjoy a series of apple-themed activities this half term in celebration of Allantide, a Cornish festival celebrating the ‘first day of winter’ on 31 October.
People of the Industry breakfast

Treat yourself to a delicious full Cornish breakfast at Wheal Martyn where you’ll be joined by our knowledgeable volunteers who have worked in the china clay industry, before they lead you on a fascinating guided tour of the historic china clay works.
Classic Car Rally

Bring along your classic vehicle to display around the historic Wheal Martyn grounds or come along and enjoy the vehicles on show.
Wine & wisdom fundraising evening

Join us on Thursday 17 October for our ‘Wine & Wisdom’ fundraising quiz evening at Wheal Martyn Clay Works. Come along with friends and colleagues, have fun and show off your knowledge, whilst raising funds for your local heritage centre.
Memory Cafe

Our regular Memory Cafe offers a place to chat over a cuppa and take part in creative activities.
Memory Cafe

Our regular Memory Cafe offers a place to chat over a cuppa and take part in creative activities.
Climate Cafe

A welcoming space to come together, discuss our climate concerns and leave feeling energised!
Rue

Rue, the English songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, unveils a signature blend of soulful vocals and rhythmic guitar playing, adorned with a captivating jazz essence.
The Mevagissey Quaynotes

Come along to listen to a four-man acapella group from Mevagissey on the south coast of Cornwall, with a wide repertoire of sea shanty to close harmony.
Burton Bradstock featuring Jimmy Cannon

Burton Bradstock is the stylistic alter ego of multi-instrumental and award winning musicians and composers Jimmy Cannon and Dorian Ford. The duo re-imagines, re-vitalises and seeks to generate a widespread renaissance of traditional English song.

Prices

Pay once and get free entry all year!
Our museum

China clay mining has shaped the landscape, lives of people and economy of mid-Cornwall for over 250 years. It is Cornwall’s largest mining industry. A fully Accredited Museum, we are based within two Victorian china clay works, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. We tell the story of this fascinating industry and the people who worked and lived in the shadows of Cornwall’s iconic ‘white pyramids’.
Buy an admission ticket

Buy your Wheal Martyn ticket online today. A full price ticket gives you free return visits for a whole year!
Why visit

Dig deep and discover the special ingredient in your everyday life that still shapes Cornwall and the world today…china clay! It hides in your toothpaste, your paper, your car tyres and even your cosmetics. It’s a billion pound, global industry. We are telling the story of Cornwall’s secret, and the people who brought it to you, from the heart of Clay Country.
Kurt Jackson: Clay Country

17 May - 5 September 2021
Join the team

See the roles we are seeking at Wheal Martyn, including volunteering opportunities.
Cafe

Open from 10am - 5pm, free to enter.
Opening times

Wheal Martyn is open 10am until 5pm daily.
Gift shop

Our gift shop is open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm. Free to enter.
Find us

St Austell. Cornwall, PL26 8XG