A Truro Weekend Escape
Discover a scenic and welcoming city, with plenty to see and do
Truro is only nine miles from the south coast, but this central Cornish city – in fact Cornwall’s only city – is often overlooked by visitors in their mad dash for the seaside.
Sitting at a confluence of rivers that eventually flow into the Carrick Roads estuary of the River Fal at Falmouth, Truro has historically been an important port. Today, as well as historic sights, it offers a vibrant arts scene and is home to independent specialist shops and places to eat. Take a look at our recommendations for things to do and where to eat and stay, all rated by the AA and/or VisitEngland.
Things to do
The city’s origins go back to Norman times, but it wasn’t until the 14th century that the town started to thrive in its own right. The fortunes of Truro have ebbed and flowed over the years, much as has the Truro River. A wander around the city on foot is a perfect way to see its story, taking in key buildings such as the impressive Gothic revival Cathedral dating from the 19th century, famed for its Victorian stained-glass windows.
The prosperity that was brought to the city by the local mining of tin and copper, and the revenue acquired from its assaying, as well as from fishing, is clearly visible in the genteel Georgian and Victorian townhouses. The elegant Georgian crescent of Walsingham Place and the perfectly proportioned Lemon Street could give Bath a run for its money.
The Royal Cornwall Museum in River Street is a treasure trove of historic objects and archaeological finds from Cornwall and further afield, as well as fine art and an extensive collection of minerals. It even claims to be home to a Cornish Giant! Garden lovers will adore nearby Trelissick with its views of the Fal Estuary as well as 18th-century Trewithen, famed for its glorious camellias.
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Places to stay
With self-catering apartments and cottages, family-run B&Bs and guesthouses as well as several hotels, Truro has an appealing range of places to lay your head for a few nights.
We recommend
Where to eat
Whether you’re hankering after an extravagant celebration of Cornish produce or something more modest, there are places to eat in Truro that should fit the bill.
