Beginning with a brief walking tour of St Austell town we head off to check out the best of what the local area has to offer.
Whilst St Austell is good for basic shopping there isn't a great deal to see in the town itself. However, the immediate area is pretty stunning and it isn't difficult to see why it is often referred to as the Cornish Riviera. Head to the coast and you won't be disappointed.
Our first stop out of St Austell is the picture postcard Georgian harbour village of Charlestown. Probably the most popular film location in Cornwall the harbour has been used in productions such as Poldark, Alice in Wonderland and any number of Treasure Island spin offs.
The village is also home to a fairly presentable beach, and whilst Charlestown beach might not have the finest sand it has some great rock pools and lots to explore.
For the best beaches you need only head less than a mile either side of Charlestown. Perhaps the top spot goes to Porthpean beach with it's calm clear waters and wooded backdrop. Sitting just next door is Duporth beach which has the feel of a less perfect version of Porthpean. On the plus side it is a little harder to get to, and with no facilities it is often quieter.
A little further along the beach is St Austell's biggest beach, Carlyon Bay. Stretching for nearly a mile the sand here is a little on the coarse side but with plenty of space, food options and super-sized rockpool this is a great family beach.