Saint Blazey brings together a history of the wool industry, railway heritage, and trails for walking and cycling. A range of interests can shape your stay: the town’s historical development, a distinctive locomotive shed complex, and trails through old marshland or along mostly gravel tracks. A footpath to the Eden Project is also among the routes described. Saint Blazey may suit you if both local history and time outdoors are on your travel plans.

Wool Industry and Railway Heritage

In the 15th century, Saint Blazey was a centre of a local wool industry. Later, a wool factory was established in the rooms of the Town Hall in the centre of Saint Blazey. The later factory in the Town Hall adds a specific location in the centre to the history of the wool industry. The St Blazey locomotive shed complex adds another historical theme: it is Grade II* listed and is a uniquely preserved example in Cornwall of a purpose-built railway engineering facility. Wool processing and railway construction therefore stand alongside each other as two distinct themes in the town’s history.

Church Architecture and the Saints Way

The Church of St Blaize is a parish church dating from around 1440 and was restored in 1839. Its architecture includes restored 15th-century three-light tracery windows and a three-stage battlemented tower. Inside, the church retains granite rubble walls, five-bay arcades and 19th-century vaulted ceilings. Features from different centuries thus meet here: 15th-century windows sit alongside 19th-century interior features.

St Blaise lies on the Saints Way. When the church is open, walkers can go inside and have their maps stamped. It is usually open in summer, generally from 10 am to 4 pm; opening arrangements can vary, so check before your visit.

Walking, Cycling and Landscape

The walking and cycling trail from Par Beach to St Blazey passes through the old marshland of the river estuary. The Clay Trails are mostly gravel and are suitable for walking and cycling. The Par Beach to St Blazey route is therefore defined by its passage through marshland, while the surface is a specific feature of the Clay Trails. When choosing, compare the setting and surface you prefer, and check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

A footpath connects Saint Blazey with the Eden Project. Trail conditions can change here too, so check them before setting out. Luxulyan Valley, through which the River Par flows, is also near Saint Blazey. The valley and its river offer a different landscape from the marshland along the route from Par Beach to St Blazey.

Saint Blazey as a Place to Stay

What matters most to you depends on whether you would rather focus on the wool history and locomotive shed complex or on the trails and landscapes described here. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint Blazey, compare its exact location with the places and trails you plan to visit. This helps you choose accommodation to suit your planned stay.

Discover more destinations: Wendron, St Winnow, Downderry, Trevone, Crugmeer, Colan, Polperro, Gunnislake

Return to the main travel overview: Cornwall.