Light & Life St Austell

St Austell's modern church sits right in the town centre, impossible to miss with its striking contemporary design that couldn't be more different from the granite Victorian chapels dotting Cornwall. Light & Life is exactly what it says - all clean lines and brightness, which makes a refreshing change if you're weary of shadowy pews and musty hymn books.

This is primarily a working parish church, so you're looking at attending a service rather than a casual tourist wander. That said, if you're spending time in St Austell - perhaps based at one of the nearby holiday parks like East Crinnis or Pentewan Sands - and you're interested in modern ecclesiastical architecture or want to experience local Sunday life, it's worth a look. The interior's light and airy, which beats cramped and claustrophobic.

Contact the church directly for service times and opening arrangements, as details aren't widely published online. St Austell itself is worth half a day - the town has recovered well from its clay mining heritage, with decent shops and cafes along the high street. If you're camping or caravanning in the area, this fits easily into a morning before heading to the Eden Project or beaches at Carlyon Bay, both just outside town.

Realistic expectation: this isn't a major attraction. It's a 15-minute stop if you're curious about contemporary church design, but don't make a special journey. Go if you're already in St Austell, skip it if your time is tight.