Truro is the only city in Cornwall and the county's administrative, commercial and cultural capital — a compact, elegant city of around 18,766 people set at the confluence of three rivers in the heart of Cornwall. Despite being one of England's smallest cities, Truro punches above its weight in terms of its Victorian architecture, its cathedral, its independent shopping scene and its role as the gateway to the Cornish peninsula.
The city is dominated by Truro Cathedral — a magnificent Victorian Gothic building completed in 1910 and the first cathedral to be built on a new site in England since St Paul's. Its three spires are visible from miles around and the interior, with its soaring nave and remarkable Victorian stained glass, is one of the finest in the country. The Royal Cornwall Museum, founded in 1818, houses outstanding collections of Cornish archaeology, natural history, fine art and the unique history of Cornish mining and tin streaming.
Truro's Victorian city centre retains much of its original character — the cast-iron Lemon Street Market, the cobbled Victoria Square and the elegant Georgian and Regency townhouses of Lemon Street and Walsingham Place give the city a refined character unusual in Cornwall. The city hosts Cornwall's main shopping, with a mix of high street stores in the Pydar Street area and excellent independent shops, cafés and restaurants throughout the centre.
Truro sits at the head of the Fal Estuary — a drowned river valley of extraordinary beauty whose creeks and wooded banks stretch south to Falmouth and Penryn. The Fal River ferry from Truro to Falmouth is one of the most scenic short boat journeys in England. Direct trains reach Plymouth in 1 hour and London Paddington in around 4 hours. House prices averaging £268,000 represent reasonable value by southern England standards for a city with Cornwall's extraordinary natural surroundings.
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Who is Truro Good For?
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VisitBritain- Truro CathedralA breathtaking Victorian Gothic cathedral — the first built on a new site in England since St Paul's. Its three spires soar above the city; the interior features a stunning nave and superb Victorian stained glass.
- Royal Cornwall MuseumFounded in 1818, this excellent museum houses outstanding collections of Cornish archaeology, tin mining history, natural history, fine art and the unique story of Cornish culture. Free entry.
- Fal River Ferry to FalmouthOne of England's most scenic short boat journeys — a passenger ferry through the wooded creeks of the Fal Estuary to Falmouth. The Fal is the world's third deepest natural harbour.
- Trelissick Garden (NT)A magnificent National Trust garden on a peninsula above the Fal Estuary, 4 miles from Truro. Extraordinary collections of tender plants, woodland walks and stunning estuary views year-round.
- Truro MarketA lively market operating Wednesday and Saturday in the city centre, with fresh Cornish produce, local crafts, street food and a strong community atmosphere.
- Beaches — 30 minutes awayTruro sits within easy reach of some of England's finest beaches — Perranporth (14 miles), Porthleven (16 miles), and the spectacular Lizard Peninsula coastline are all under 30 minutes' drive.
- Hall for CornwallCornwall's main large-scale arts venue, recently refurbished to a spectacular standard, hosting touring theatre, opera, ballet, comedy and music in the heart of the city.
- Lost Gardens of HeliganJust 12 miles from Truro — the extraordinary 'lost' Victorian gardens rediscovered and restored since 1990. 200 acres of gardens, jungle, productive plots and summerhouses. One of Cornwall's top visitor attractions.
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