View from Wheal Martyn trail
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If you have a comment or a question about the clay trails please email: claytrails@chez-jones.demon.co.uk
QUESTION:
Sent 04 June 2008
Please would you tell me exactly where the trail goes from the level crossing at Tywardreath Highway towards Eden. Thank you.
ANSWER:
The Trail from Par to Eden leaves the embankment beside the Newquay branch line before it reaches the main road level crossing at Tywardreath Highway. There is a turning down the bank beside the football ground that takes you to the church by the road junction/traffic lights. The trail then follows the footpath (for pedestrians only, please!) up to the lane towards Eden/Bodelva, coming out near Cornhill Farm.
ANSWER:
This building in question is actually Carlyon Farm Kilns, and it was the largest coal fired china clay drying kiln ever built. To overcome the problem of losing draft in such a long kiln (make it too long and soot drops out of suspension resulting in blocked flues under the heated kiln floor) they built it so that the furnace room was in the middle, heating two short drying floors either side of it, rather than one really long floor - hence the two chimneys, one either side. This resulted in the massive tall structure in the middle, which was the furnace room (which still has the furnace doors last time I looked), which also served as a filter-press house, and coal store, for which it had a huge pulley to lift bags of coal out of trains. The kiln also had an internal narrow gauge railway system, which ran along the loading platform edge, which was used for moving wagons of clay to be tipped into the waiting train below, because the kiln was so long. Along this little railway were turntables in front of each door (you'll note if you look at it that along the front wall is a row of doors) which allowed the wagon to be moved inside for loading.
Although it is the largest kiln, it by no means dwarfs the others - there were some behemoth single floor kilns in use up to the 60s, which if they were to have been doubled like Carlyon Farm kilns was, would have made it seem small in comparison. Nor is it the longest - Par Kilns, which is on the left hand side as you go into par towards par docks is approx 600 feet long, a whole 100 feet longer than Carlyon Farm, and had a furnace either end with an enormous chimney in the centre. However it had a lower production capacity as it was narrower and therefore had less square foot of drying floor. Incredibly it seems puny in comparison to the massive clay stores at Par Docks, which on a worldwide scale are actually rather small!
Item posted on website 17 August 2008
QUESTION:
Sent 29 April 2008
Are horse riders allowed to hack out on the clay works and if they are, whereabouts are they allowed ... ?? I live in St Dennis.
ANSWER:
Basically, there are three sources of suitable trail: bridleways, the County Council multi-use trails (Clay Trails and Goss Moor here) and permissive routes that Imerys allow but are not part of the CC network.
Bridleways are marked on the Ordnance Survey maps of the area (try Explorer 106 and 107 for full details), the Clay Trails are marked on the clay trails website, (both on each Trail page and also there are more detailed downloadable maps on the Home Page) or let me know your postal address so I can post you a paper copy of the clay trails map. St Austell Tourist Information office and the library also have copies of these.
The new Goss Moor trails are having a map put together showing the new trails: again, let me know your postal address and I'll send a map, once its printed! Not sure whether anyone knows all the Imerys paths around St Dennis so it's probably best to call the helpful Imerys switch-board on (01726) 818000.
Answer given by David Readman, Pedal and Stroll Back the Years Project Officer.
QUESTION:
Sent 16 April 2008
Recently there has been some resurfacing done to the 'Green Corridor' trail which has much improved the surface but access to the trail from Trethowel is still not available for cyclists, horses, push chair or the disabled. Whilst Cormac were working on the surface a track was cut across the field behind the industrial estate which raised our hopes that an official access point was being constructed, but no sooner had all the surface been turned over, the work unit packed up all equipment and left.
Could you please tell me:
1. Is the track they cut in the field to be surfaced?
2. Is access from the village of Trethowel going to be available, and if so when is this likely to
happen?
At present the only official way onto the trail for cyclists and others is either to travel almost into St Austell, or via Drummers Hill to the north, both of which involve using the dangerous road and make joining the trail not worthwhile as most of its length has already been covered by road, the most dangerous part as well.
ANSWER:
In response to your query about the access to the Green Corridor from Trethowel I can update you
with what I have learnt so far! Stroll and Pedal Back the Years, and the Saddlebags and Secateurs maintenance group, all use and sometimes help maintain the trails. We were very pleased to see the surfacing improvements at the St Austell end of the Green Corridor, and learnt that the temporary access onto the trail for the plant and machinery is to be restored back to its original grassy state. There is not a right of way for general trail access here (much as we'd all like it!), but this question of access from Trethowel is still an issue. I don't know what the current situation is with improving this access for all users but agree with you that it needs improving. We will bring your concerns to the relevant contact at the County Council.
Answer given by David Readman, Pedal and Stroll Back the Years Project Officer.
QUESTION: How will we manage with a wheelchair on the Pentewan route?
Sent 8 October 2007
ANSWER: The Pentewan Trail would be good for wheelchair use. It's flat, built on an old rail track. All the clay trails are reasonably accessible, but the Pentewan Trail is the easiest and it's a lovely route.
All the clay trails are 'wheel' friendly and I know personally they can be used by mobility scooter. Parts of some clay trails have rough stone chippings which could make difficulties for the type of wheelchairs with very small wheels. Some trails have hills to deal with, and there are occasional wooden gates on trails. It may depend on the wheelchair and the user. You may be interested in the website for wheelchair users listed on our Contacts & Links page.
Answer given by Linda Jones, Claytrails webmaster.
QUESTION: Can anyone give me the chemical coposition of the clay? I just spent a week in Par (a wonderful area) with friends and no one knew what the general composition of the clay is.
Sent 21 September 2007
ANSWER: Most clays are made from the elements aluminium, Al, Silica, Si and oxygen, O. (There may also be some iron, Fe). Therefore they are called aluminosilicates.
They are formed by the reaction of volcanic rocks (eg granite or ash) with water. Kaolin is one of the most common of the clays, and bulk deposits are mined in Cornwall, Georgia USA and Brazil. Kaolin exists as minute platey crystals which may be yellow, green or red if iron is also present. The crystals never grow large because there is an inherent strain in the crystal structure.
Mica has a similar chemical structure to some clays, but the crystals can grow into large flakes because there is no strain.
Kaolin is probably the most widely spread type of clay and exists in most soils all over the world.
COMMENT: As a child I used to pass the driers, going to school at Carthew Infants School. Sadly, no longer! The lane led up to Greensplatt. I remember one of the firemen who worked at the driers was called Mr Barry. At that time they used horse and wagon to take the clay to the sidings between Ruddlemoor and Trethowel.
Sent 26 August 2007
ANSWER: Thank you for sending in this childhood memory of the clay area. It would be good to hear from anyone about their memories of the area - and you can send some photos if you have them, that may be put on this website.
Answer given by Linda Jones, Claytrails webmaster.
QUESTION:I would like to try out the trails to ride on. It would be useful to create suggested circular routes that combine the trails with possible road work as it is not a good policy to turn your horse around and ride back the same way (this encourages horses to nap; if you don't understand ask a horsey person!).
I am hoping to try the trail that starts at Wheal Martyn so any suggestions as to my route would be most welcome.
Sent 29 June 2007
ANSWER: The trails from Wheal Martyn, St Austell and Bugle all connect through the Eden Project and are largely off-road and constructed with an unsealed stone/sand surface that is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. In total, these trails stretch to approximately 13 miles and there are some very attractive circular, or near-circular rides that can be pieced together if you are happy to add some of the quieter back roads to the network.
A favourite circuit with some horse riders starts at an informal car-parking area adjacent to the Scredda (top-most) roundabout on the A391 St Austell Eastern Distributor Road. This car park can accommodate a horse-box or trailer (probably more comfortably than Wheal Martyn). If you drive up the A391 from St Austell towards Bodmin, the roundabout is the last one before the pointed sky-tip which dominates the sky-line. To the right of the roundabout is a major new development (ROK) but turn left and then immediately first right and then straight away right again at the first little cross-roads. Park here.
From the car park you will discover an unmade track through a gap in the stone wall. Follow the trail as it runs westwards away from the main road for approx. half a mile and then either take the first left signed on a big granite boulder to St Austell and Wheal Martyn or first enjoy the signed Sky Trail that takes you on an exhilarating cul-de-sac of a good half mile (one way). The trail down to St Austell and Wheal Martyn passes through a beautiful secluded valley. There is one public highway to cross but it is otherwise fabulous riding. Unfortunately the bottom section was tarmaced and can be slippy over one short section. At the bottom of the descent, either turn right and follow stone signs along another half mile cul-de-sac to Wheal Martyn (where there are toilets and a splendid cafe but no hitching rail yet). You will need to cross a fairly intimidating steel bridge over a main road but horses seem to take it very easily in their stride ..... or turn left and follow a lovely secluded route to the very edge of St Austell. The last short section to St Austell looks an unlikely horse route as it is a fairly steep ramp overlooking the main railway line. Don't be deterred, follow it till you are discharged into a small housing estate road. Turn right and follow the road parallel to the railway to the first T juction and then simply turn left and follow the lovely, leafy Menacuddle Hill exit from St Austell which eventually leads back to the first little cross-roads at Scredda where you turned off to the car park. This last stretch is about a mile and a half long and quite steep ... but the road is generally quiet and views are fantastic.
All in all, and if you add the Sky Trail and Wheal Martyn detours, this circuit is about 7.5 miles with about 6 miles off-road. It generally takes me a couple of hours as there are places to admire along the way.
There are lots of other circuits, including a beauty from Bugle to Luxulyan to Eden to Bugle which gives the opportunity to ride across a 150 ft high viaduct and aqueduct!
Answer given by Bernard Ray.
QUESTION: Are there any places along the Wheal Martyn Trail where you can stop and take refreshments?
Sent 31 May 2007
ANSWER:On the Wheal Martyn Trail you can stop at the following places to purchase refreshments:
China Clay Country Park (a good place to start the trail) and they have a great cafe there with good
food. The other place you can stop is at the other end of the trail at The Eden Project. On this particular trail these are the only two places you can purchase refreshments.
On the Bugle Trail there is:
The Jungle Tea Rooms in Bugle - near the start of the trail - definitely worth a visit! Innis Inn - pub serving refreshments. The Eden Project.
Along all the trails there are plenty of stopping places and benches and shelters where you can enjoy your own picnic.
I hope this is of help to you and if you haven't been out on the trails already then I hope you enjoy them when you do go!
Answer given by Sharon Potter, Mobilise Offier.
QUESTION: I've only started to use these tracks in the last month and I've found the trails to be an asset to the area. They do seem to be hidden away a bit. The maps on the website seem to be a bit vague - I'm sure take-up would be greater with some more signs, and some surfaces are a bit too rough to use for cycling. The section from St Austell that runs next to Bodmin Road would benefit from a better surface (bike braking rough). If it was tarmac it would be a real benefit as that section of road is very dangerous to cycle. Thanks.
Sent 26 May 2007
ANSWER: Thanks for your comments. I'm so glad you are enjoying the trails. I hope you have found the more detailed maps that you can download from the Home Page on the website, as well as the little outlined ones on each Trail page, which I agree are just a rough guide. Thank you also for your general comments about signs and paths. Your email has been passed on to the clay trail team.
Answer given by Linda Jones, Claytrails webmaster.
QUESTION: I live in the St. Stephen area and was wondering whether there are any plans or ideas on a trail at this end - or if it was feasible? It would be nice if it could join up with the other trails into St. Austell.
Sent 12 March 2007
ANSWER: Thank you for your enquiry. At the moment, as far as I am aware, there are no plans to create any trails in your area. However, I agree with you that this would be a good idea. I have passed your email on to colleagues at Cornwall County Council so they can make a note of your comments and if there is enough interest in such a route then something may happen in the future.
In the meantime, Stroll Back the Years are looking to set up health walks in and around the St Stephen area which may be of interest. Please refer to www.strollbacktheyears.info for up to date information.
Answer given by Sharon Potter, Mobilise Offier.
COMMENT: Just thought I'd write and tell you how much we enjoyed riding the Clay Trails on Sunday morning.
Off road riding for horses is such a valuable thing and yet in mid Cornwall we have very little of it; for example my ride on Sunday covered 23 miles but probably only 8 miles were on traffic free routes - however without the Clay Trail we would have covered probably only a mile of 'off road' - so many thanks to all involved.
For the record I met three people walking dogs, eight other horse riders (in three separate groups)and no cyclists. This most certainly underlines how valued the resource is to us riders!
The trails are lovely to ride, lots of twisty bits, gradients and interesting things along the way. For the majority of the route the signage was superb, I particularly liked the inclusion of destinations and mileages, but I will say that when I got to the entrance for Eden I was a bit confused. Even though I knew from your website that I should carry on I wasn't certain that I should be riding down the tarmac inbetween the bus lanes and amongst lots of cars far more interested in how to get to Eden than they were in horse riders! I was mightily relieved to see the bridleway that crosses the route and certainly here the signage was superb and we were able to use some of the Wheal Martyn Trail before heading back to Luxulyan. Perhaps I missed something! So, to summarise - excellent and thank you BUT I do have two comments which I hope will be viewed constructively:
1) A sign at the entrance to Eden reassuring riders to continue to the bridleway would be good.
2) From the Bugle end, just after coming through Bowling Green and where you head up the tarmac hill to turn right over the downs there is a right turn onto the trail.
The gap left for horse riders is smallish but is compromised by the positioning of the sign that says "trail meets road" - someone has attached it to the post so that it sticks out a few inches into the gap and it is just at the right height for horse riders to catch their legs on.
REPLY: I am so pleased that you enjoyed your ride along the Clay Trails last weekend and apart from a couple of things you found your way OK and all was well. The weather certainly helped to show the trails off at their best so that's good!
I have passed your comments on to 2 of my colleagues. One of them works at the Eden Project so I have asked him to look at signage issues there and another colleague at County Council about the other comment. The sign which is in a slightly compromising position for horse-riders is more easily rectified because we can do something about it whereas signage on Eden land is out of our remit. However, both colleagues are addressing them and I hope that you will see improvements very soon!
Answer given by Sharon Potter, Mobilise Offier.QUESTION:
Hi! As a local horse rider (dismayed at the increasing numbers and speeds of vehicles on the lanes) I am really pleased to see that there are more quiet routes open to us. I'm planning to ride the Bugle to Eden trail this weekend but am disappointed at the standard of maps I have been able to find. The Sustrans leaflet I have is quite frankly hopeless and clearly from an earlier comment on your website from some horse riders the signage may not be sufficient to enable us to find the entire route - besides it is always advisable to have a good map if only to give a grid reference in the event of an emergency.
Could you please tell me whether I am missing some blindingly obvious maps and also whether the routes will be included on forthcoming Ordnance Survey maps as trails in the same way as other permissive routes and trails are shown (for example the Camel Trail)?
Many thanks and please don't be dismayed at the negative nature of this email. I think the trails are a splendid idea; I just don't want to ride my horse all that way and miss anything or perhaps not find the quickest route back with a missing shoe or whatever!
Sent 07 March 2007
ANSWER:
I am not sure which map you are referring to but is it the Green Clay Trails map which you have? The grid reference for the start of the Bugle trail is 020585.
Unfortunately, the trails are not marked on an ordnance survey map at the moment but it is something we are hoping will be happening soon.
The Bugle to Eden trail is well marked:
The Clay Trail maps are being reprinted at the moment although it still won't be an ordnance survey map but we will try and make it clearer to follow.
Answer given by Sharon Potter, Mobilise Offier.
QUESTION:
Can you tell me what the route is like from Treworgey nr Looe to the Eden project for a group of mixed ability cyclists. Is the route well sign posted and where does the route start?
Sent 6 January 2007
ANSWER:
I don't know that particular section of the National Cycle Network (NCN) very well so the best I can do is point you in the direction of either the Sustrans website: www.sustrans.org.uk (see maps on Get Cycling) or give you their phone number 0117 926 8893. If you explain what you want someone there will be able to help you out.
I do know that the NCN uses the quietest and safest possible routes to get people from one place to another. Steep hills can't always be avoided but the routes are generally very pretty. The NCN doesn't link up with every town so again you need to check where your nearest access point would be.
Of course you can use the Clay Trails for the last part of your journey - these are well surfaced and predominantly off road trails suitable for all abilities. Maps are available if you need them but the main access points are at Par, Bugle, Carluddon and the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum among others.
Answer given by Sharon Potter, Mobilise Offier.
QUESTION:
Where can I find a map of the Blackpool trail, starting at the car park up Hornick Hill, Lanjeth?
Sent 31 December 2006
ANSWER:
I am not personally familiar with the Blackpool trail as it is not one of ours and indeed know of no maps of this particular trail. However, I have spoken with a lady from the ramblers who did this walk last year and she has told me that it is a lovely walk with wonderful views in to the Blackpool pit - definitely worth doing. From the car park it is apparently, well signposted. The following information has been given, informally, which I hope will be of use:
Start gridref: SX975533 (she used the explorer maps)
Grade: Leisurely
Estimated distance: 6.5 miles (10 km)
Starting Point: Hornick Hill car park. Lanjeth, Penisker Farm, Nappies, Blackpool Trail.
Answer given by Sharon Potter, Mobilise Offier.
COMMENT and QUESTION:
My wife and I with our two dogs took a walk today along the Green Corridor - the trail from Tremena Gardens, St Austell to Wheal Martyn. This most enjoyable walk was recommended by a good friend and was very interesting, presenting views of St Austell we had never seen before. En route we passed a very large derelict building with large chimneys at each end. Can you help in providing the history of this very sizeable structure?
Sent 27 December 2006
ANSWER:
I believe the large derelict building is an old clay drier. Fires were lit and the smoke and warmth went below the raised floor where the clay slurry was spread for drying. In-depth explanations and examples can be found at the China Clay Museum.
If anyone knows the history or even has a personal history connected with this old building, you might like to contact us and tell us what you know. Contact: claytrails@chez-jones.demon.co.uk
Answer given by Linda Jones, Claytrails webmaster.
QUESTION:
My friend and I rode our horses this morning on the Bugle Clay Trail. We turned back when we met the Eden roundabout. We were wondering if we carried on, could we meet up with the Wheal Martyn Clay trail to go further on, making it a longer ride for us?
Sent in October 2006
ANSWER:
Yes, you can continue along the Bugle trail and meet up with the Wheal Martyn trail, which would give you a lovely long ride.
Coming down the clay trail from Bugle you cross over the roundabout on to the Eden site. If you follow the trail along you will see a bridleway going off to the right (it goes up the Bugle side of the cherry carpark). Follow the bridleway and eventually you will get to a large open space and the trail is at the far end. If you turn right you will follow the trail up towards Trethurgy and on up to Carluddon. If you were to turn left you would end up back on the Eden site nearer to their main entrance.
QUESTION:
Could you tell me please how difficult the 3 mile bike ride from Par Beach to the Eden Project is? We are staying at Park Sands Holiday Park.
Sent in August 2006
ANSWER:
The Par to Eden trail is unfortunately not an off road route suitable for cyclists the whole way. Cycling is permitted between Par and St Blazey and the rest of the trail is walking only. Certainly the cycling path is easy, flat and very accessible.
There is a way to cycle but it may not be appropriate if you have young children:
Follow the cycle route and go along the canal. Where the path goes off round a corner away from the canal at the football ground, carry on along the canal - not strictly for cyclists but it can be cycled. You reach the level crossing on the Tywardreath Highway. Stay on your side of the road and push your bikes through the Jet Petrol Station until you see the Eden Gate Cafe on the other side of the road. There is a very steep road going up the side of the cafe. Cycle (or walk!) up here and when you get to the cross roads (Corn Hill crossroads) go straight over, keep going and enter one of the Eden entrances 1/4 mile after the crossroads.
For another day you could cycle along the canal to the Highway as mentioned above, cross over and path continues along the canal to the Luxulyan Valley which is well worth exploring and can be cycled.
View from Wheal Martyn trail
This page last updated 17 August 2008