Approaching St Austell from the west, your first impression will be of a vast, sweeping bay that, on a sunny day, glitters like somewhere far more exotic. St Austell itself is a town in the midst of total transformation; once somewhat workaday, St Austell is now becoming a holiday destination with restaurants, bars and unique shops. The seaside remains the principal draw here, though – from Par Sands in the east to Porthpean in the west, St Austell Bay has many great beaches.