St Austell-based museum, Wheal Martyn is giving locals the chance to reconnect with their heritage at a discounted price this winter.

Wheal Martyn wants to inspire and reconnect the people of Cornwall with a significant and important part of their heritage, China Clay mining - which has shaped much of the Cornwall we live in today.

To enable as many locals as possible to find out about Cornwall’s rich history and enjoy a host of other attractions suitable for all ages, the museum is offering a discounted annual admission.

Admission from now until February is just £6 per adult and £5 per child (children under five are free) and for this price pass holders can visit as often as they like for 12 months – they just need to show proof of address when they initially purchase their annual ticket.

Wheal Martyn, located in the heart of Cornwall’s Clay Country (just two miles north of St Austell), is set within two preserved Victorian clay works and tells the stories of the China Clay industry, its workforce and surrounding communities in an atmospheric and truly special place.

Many thousands of people worked in the industry at its peak and so many of us have parents, grandparents or great grandparents who worked (or still work) either directly or indirectly in the industry. If not, local people still have a connection with the industry as a user of one of the many products which contain China Clay – ceramics, paper, rubber, paint and toothpaste – to name just a few.

The site incorporates historic features, now protected by Historic England, including Cornwall’s largest working waterwheel, an engine house, flat rod tunnel, crib hut, kilns and clay work buildings as well as woodland walks, an indoor discovery centre and exhibitions of industrial artefacts, social history and vintage lorries.

At the peak of the site, through the woodland walks, there is a spectacular view into a modern working clay pit and children can play and explore in the challenge trail or woodland.

The museum welcomes dogs throughout and has a café and shop which are open daily.