Do you envision a holiday somewhere bustling with activities like shopping, delving into history, walks in natural landscapes, eateries with fresh appetizing food and a drink of ale to wind up the day? Then head to the only city of Cornwall, Truro. Wondering how a city could be a great break from the monotony of urban life, read on.
You have plenty to explore in Cornwall’s capital city, with art galleries, bars, restaurants, night clubs, cinemas or the bustling markets in this retail centre of Cornwall…the list goes on. A night out with friends to popular bars like The Old Ale House or solo walks in the Victoria Gardens, a haven of tranquillity with its hidden enclave of nature and award-winning colourful floral blooms holding a secret to the past, going back more than 800 years will leave a piece of the city lingering in your minds even days after the visit.
Its impressive Georgian architecture, cobblestone streets and unique shops are best discovered by foot. Join the ‘Truro now and then’ walking tour to get fascinated about the colourful past of the vibrant city which includes inspiring stories of the rich, famous, fortunate, and faithful people of the city. Learn more about the ‘Cornish Wonder’, its links to Titanic as well as those parts of the city that form the Poldark Novels.
The three tall green spires and Victorian gothic style Cathedral with 250 foot high towers dominates the city skyline. Don’t miss out on the world’s largest stain glass project as well as the church within the church.
The entry is free and while your kids spend time on the various craft activities offered and the children’s trail, you can explore the ‘bend’ right in the middle of the cathedral. When you look down the length of the cathedral from this point, you will see that things are not straight as it looks. Have a light lunch at the Cathedral restaurant and pick up some local souvenirs from the shops inside back home.
The shopaholic in you will fall in love with Truro. Being originally a market town in its early days, it’s still home to many international retailers, high-street brands, independent boutiques and specialist stores.
Whether it is the King Street or Pydar Street for cool designer labels and high street brands, or River Street and Victoria Square for a treasure trove of smaller boutiques with something funky and unusual you can shop for anything under the sun here.
Make sure to visit the award-winning Lemon Street Market which can offer you gifts, furniture, food and even barbers for a makeover and much more of the local flavour from the finest Indie shops. The in-house Lander Gallery will awe you with its classic and contemporary art of the Cornish theme.
Do you want a taste of the local produce? Then Truro’s farmers market on Lemon Quay every Wednesday and Saturday is where you should be. The root of Cornwall’s culinary scene, these white and green stripped stalls can soak you up with the smell and aroma of freshly baked bread and smoked fish. Buy some perfectly blue duck eggs or preserves in a rainbow of colours or mouth-watering cakes that will melt your heart.
After the exhausting shopping spree, it’s time to try out the culinary delights this Cornish capital has to offer. From its little cafés and bistros to restaurants using mostly the local produce, it has everything to satiate the food-lover in you!
Lemon Street Market offers a lot of choices for restaurants and cafés. You should definitely try the fresh organic bread and pastries from Baker’s Tom or a grab a quick sandwich from the Fig Café. As you walk towards the edge of Lemon Street, it is hard to miss The Thomas Daniell, a family owned pub that offers beer, wine and cocktails with food that’s “an exciting twist of traditional, tried and true pub classics”.
Head to the historic Coinage Hall building for a cup of tea amidst a sanctuary of Victorian tranquillity at the famous Charlotte's Tea House or know what is in your food and from where it has come at the Cornish Food Box Company.
A tour of the Skinner's brewery which brews award-winning ales like Betty Stogs, Cornish Knocker, Ginger Tosser and much more and a stop to The Old Ale House to sip on some of these chilled ales or ciders will make your trip complete.
Let your hair loose with your friends at the popular night clubs and pubs in Truro like Vanilla, Déjà vu, Bunters Bar or The Office Night Club.
Everyone can find something to do in this little city of Cornwall. Whether it is to try out their mouth-watering eateries, getting lost in time in the tranquillity of nature and history or watching a play in the Hall of Cornwall—the possibilities are endless.