A guide to Truro, Cornwall

A settlement since the iron age, and connected by a tidal river to Falmouth, Truro was once a thriving port and a coinage town, where tin was brought from the local mines to be assayed. Fortunes in the town boomed in the 18th and 19th centuries, with mine owners and merchants building impressive houses many of which still remain on Mansion and Lemon Streets. The skyline is dominated by the gothic revival style cathedral, finished in 1910, and from where the original Nine Lessons and Carols service, now famously sung on Christmas Eve, was founded. Right up until the 1920s boats could unload at what is now Hall for Cornwall, after which it was covered up; the resulting open space at Lemon Quay is used for events and markets. 

Today Truro is a retail and cultural centre for Cornwall, where residents and visitors head to shop, see exhibitions and performances, eat and drink and spend time being inspired by Cornwall’s history. In places Truro resembles Bath, as many buildings especially on Lemon Street are built from Bath stone. With many hidden lanes and narrow alleys, the town centre is a lovely place to explore, but watch out for the Victorian water system of open leats at the edge of the cobbled streets.

Truro has two main parks: Victoria Gardens, in the centre beside the River Kenwyn, and Boscawen Park, on the edge of town. Families with younger children enjoy the big playground at Boscawen, where there are also tennis courts and a dog exercise area. Truro is also home to independent schools Truro High School for Girls, Polwhele House, and Truro School, at which The Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre is Cornwall’s premier sporting facility. Lys Kernow, the headquarters of Cornwall Council, has a Barbara Hepworth sculpture in the courtyard garden. 

Just outside Truro is Trelissick Gardens (National Trust, £17 adults, members free) on the banks of the Fal estuary at Feock. Trelissick House was built in 1755, with the striking neoclassical column facade added by Thomas Daniell in 1824. Parts of the house are open to the public, and the gardens reach right down to the banks of the Fal. 

The riverside villages of Tresillian, St Clements and Malpas are all charming places; the five mile walk between St Clements and Malpas is particularly lovely, along with stunning river views you will often spot a wide variety of birds including kingfishers and wading birds like herons and egrets. Stop for a refreshing pint at The Heron Inn at Malpas.

Shopping in Truro

Truro’s high street is the place to go shopping in Cornwall, with the usual big high street names, as well as indie women’s clothes shops like Bishop Philpott and Busby & Fox. Trevails is Cornwall’s largest independent clothing shop, and Truro also has branches of Seasalt and Joules. On the edge of town, Truro has one of Cornwall’s only branches of Waitrose, with Cornish produce - including meat, fish and vegetables - available at the Great Cornish Food Store.

At weekends Truro Farmers Market can be found on Lemon Quay selling the best local produce from micro bakeries to Cornish salt, locally brewed beers and ciders, right the way through to plants and art. The Lemon Street Market is home to a mix of independent shops, cafés and pop-up businesses, and Pannier Market by the bus station is Truro’s largest indoor market. 

Artists will enjoy the well-stocked art shop next to Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery on River Street, and young (and not-so-young) toy fans head straight to Harry’s Toy Chest - it attracts as many Pokemon card fans as it does buyers of second-hand lego. Geek Retreat is a gaming café which also sells board games. 

Old Chapel Cellars on Truro’s Clement Street is an independent wine merchant, and Red Elephant Beer Cellar is at High Cross. Truro is home to independent Cornish brewery Skinner's and their Taphouse is by the river. 

Museums and art galleries in Truro

Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery is newly reopened after £2.5 million renovations in Spring 2025 (£10 annual pass, under 18s free) exploring Cornwall’s history through artefacts and an extensive art collection. With over 1 million objects on site, it is Cornwall’s largest history museum. Formerly Royal Cornwall Museum, the Grade II listed building is now home to the newly opened and award-winning Mineral Gallery, new nature gallery, and two dedicated art gallery spaces. Hosting an exciting programme of exhibitions, there is also a sensory trail and plenty for little ones to explore including animal masks and dress up cloaks. 

On Lemon Street, The Lemon Street Gallery is a leading contemporary gallery, closed currently for renovations, and The Lander Gallery specialises in Cornish art. Gallery TR1 is on St Mary’s Street.

Theatres, cinemas and concert venues in Truro

Hall for Cornwall on Boscawen Street is a Grade II listed building once home to Truro City Council and now Cornwall’s premier events space and theatre. Extensively refurbished the venue re-opened in 2021 with a new auditorium and 1,354 seats, and hosts touring opera, plays, comedy, ballet, and musical acts as well as local and homegrown dance and theatre. 

Old Bakery Studios at the historic Blewett's Bakery on the river is home to 50 workshops and the multipurpose arts venue and creative space hosts a variety of musical events. 

The Plaza is an independent Art Deco-era cinema on Lemon Street showing the latest film releases as well as National Theatre and Royal Opera lives.

Places to eat in Truro

Truro is full of lovely independent cafés and eateries, as well as some of the bigger name chains. Here are some of our favourites. 

For breakfast, 108 Café on Kenwyn Street, and Bread & Butter on River Street both serve great coffee as well as brunch/lunch. Find pastries at The Cornish Bakery on Boscawen Street and Native Grain on Kenwyn Street. Wildes Bakery is a micro-bakery; pre-order your weekend bread.

For lunch, Flourish on The Leats has the best quiche, and salads. Award winning Sabzi, on Walsingham Place, specialises in vibrant and creative salads reflecting owner Kate’s Middle Eastern heritage. Both offer eat in and takeaway. 

Casual evening dining can be found at Herd Burger, PizzaExpress, the Lemon Tree Bistro, and Habaneros Burrito Bar. Restaurants include The Longstore on Lemon Street, which specialises in steaks and cocktails, Hooked! for seafood, The Alverton restaurant for seasonal Cornish favourites and Yak and Yeti for Nepalese; find a fine dining tasting menu at newly opened Petty Fours on Old Bridge Street.

For pubs, the Wig and Pen on Frances Street, and Thomas Daniell, on Infirmary Hill are both good for food. Sunday roasts at The Rising Sun on Mitchell Hill are excellent, and all three serve local beers. Bars include Mannings, The Mockingbird Mimosa Lounge Truro, Boho18, and Fitzpatrick’s is a fun late sports bar.