All the reasons why Truro is a great little city

We’re celebrating the launch of Truro Live, the new online hub for everything concerning life in the city, whether you live here, commute every day for work or are visiting.

So what better introduction than to pick out some of the best reasons to visit Truro, the “great little city” as it has been dubbed.

There are those unmissable spots which every visitor will want to check off their list, such as the historic cathedral, but also less likely destinations such as Idless Woods, a cocktail bar that sells cakes and a Virtual Reality arcade which is taking the city by storm.

Here are just some of our choices of how to make the most of a visit to Truro.

Shopping

 

The massive draw for Truro – and what sets it apart from other cities – is the huge array of independent shops.

While we have the odd high street giant such as Primark and M&S, Truro is renowned for doing it differently and so you will find all sorts of shops you won’t elsewhere.

From Harry’s Toy Chest in Victoria Square to the Uneeka brands, there is – as the old but true cliché goes – something for everyone.

One of the best shopping arcades to peruse is the Pannier Market on Lemon Quay. Your one stop shop for fresh meat, pet products, flowers, comics, picture framing, secondhand and new vinyl records, electrical items and a delicious pork baguette. You can even get your shoes fixed while you buy a wig in here.

The Plaza Cinema

 

Truro does cinemas independently too. No faceless multiplexes for us, but a beautiful Art Deco cinema which has been entertaining films fans for generations.

Friendly staff, great snacks, the latest equipment but the ability to do it old school too with 35mm prints, The Plaza is so good the country’s leading film critic Mark Kermode can’t stop banging on about it.

His Kermode Presents evenings have become must-see events on the Truro calendar. The next one, Galaxy Quest, sold out within a nanosecond.

While you’re there take a stroll up and down historic Georgian Lemon Street too.

Malpas

 

The residents pretend they’re a separate village but Malpas is truly a part of Truro.

Follow the river and you get to one of the loveliest parts of the city. No visit is complete without a pint or bite to eat at the Heron Inn, which boasts one of the greatest views in Cornwall – across the Carrick Roads waterway.

Catch the ferry from Malpas for a beautiful voyage to Falmouth, dropping off at Trelissick gardens on the way.

Boscawen Park

 

If you’re driving (or cycling, running or walking) to Malpas you will get to Boscawen Park first – or Malpas Park as us locals call it.

The biggest recreation area in Truro has a recently modernised play park for the kids, paths to stroll, beautiful gardens thanks to Truro City Council’s parks department, a huge area for football and events such as Truro Day, a bandstand for liver performances and exercise equipment.

Truro Cricket Club joins on to the park and the duck pond opposite makes for a lovely stroll. Round it all off with lunch at Trennick Mill or the park’s own café.

Fun

 

As well as old-fashioned evergreens such as football in the park and swimming at the leisure centre at Truro College, Truro now offers some more unusual ways to have fun.

Player Ready Virtual Reality games centre in Charles Street is just what is needed to revolutionise the high street experience.

Brilliant fun, it features an array of Virtual Reality experiences, which have to be experienced to be believed. You can play on your own – or join forces to shoot zombies, which you can see to amusing effect in the video above.

There are also VR racing games too.

Another new and exciting venture for Cornwall is Celtic Tossers in Tabernacle Street. A business like no other in the city, you basically throw axes at a target. Which is obviously the greatest fun you will ever know.

Hendra Park

Proving you can never have enough play parks, on the opposite side of the city from Boscawen Park is Hendra and its range of play equipment. You’re not a proper Truronian if you haven’t wiggled through that sandy tube which dissects the hill.

Hendra sports hall sits opposite as does Truro Boxing Club.

Truro Plaza Skatepark

 

In the field opposite Hendra Park stands the skate park, a purpose-built all-concrete street plaza with a mini ramp off to one side.

It has been called one of the best outdoor skate parks in the UK. It was built in 2009 and is spread over 590 sq metres and holds everything a street skater could possibly want.

Truro Cathedral

 

It would be too obvious to put it first, but, let’s face it, Truro Cathedral is the city’s towering jewel.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro to give the building its proper name, was built between 1880 and 1910 to a Gothic Revival design by John Loughborough Pearson on the site of the parish church of St Mary.

It’s a stunning building with hidden nooks and crannies, which all unleash their historic marvels.

If you get the chance, watch a performance by the Truro Cathedral Choir. It’s no surprise they’re judged to be one of the best in the land, nay the world.

Café culture

 

As well as hairdressers and mobile phone shops, Truro has a huge array of cafés.

There’s your Costa, Starbucks and Caffe Nero but – as I always tell my kids – keep it independent … and there are a lot of brilliant independent coffee shops in Truro to keep you Latte’d up.

I’d recommend Lily’s at the top of Pydar Street and Emily’s in River Street as two of the very best – awesome food, friendly service and atmospheric spaces. 108 Coffee House in Kenwyn Street is also a winner as is Fig Café upstairs in Lemon Street Market (another great retail space).

If you want it more old-fashioned and in keeping with Truro’s Victorian and Georgian past, then Charlotte’s Tea House in the Coinage Hall is a must.

There are loads more, so have a wander and discover.

Royal Cornwall Museum

 

Sadly closed until September 1 for vital building work and modernisation, RCM is a treasure trove of Cornish history slap bang in the centre of Truro.

Celebrating Cornish life and culture, this is a marvellous building – a historic gem in its own right. Among all the Cornishness is a wonderful Egyptology exhibition too featuring that mummy.

It should be even better when it reopens.

Hall For Cornwall

 

Speaking of reopening – all eyes are on the new look HFC.

Since closing almost two years ago a multi-million renovation has been taking place to bring the theatre on a par with larger venues across the land, meaning we will get even bigger and better shows.

It will also look spectacular and will be a hub for a new breed of tech businesses.

Due to open in the autumn, the HFC’s new season will be announced in June.

Bring it on.

Old Bakery

 

While the Hall has been closed, the Old Bakery on Malpas Road has been keeping Truronians entertained.

In fact, word is spreading and people are travelling from as far as Bournemouth and Brighton to see shows in the industrial surrounds. Comedy, live music, theatre, DJ nights, film festivals and TED Talks – the Old Bakery plays host to all of it in a uniquely atmospheric setting. Good café too.

Old Railway Line

A hidden gem for many, which will take you out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a delightful walk on the edge of Truro.

The former railway line runs from Newham’s industrial heart (the trains used to run from the port) to New County Hall. It’s a great place for a walk, run or cycle.

Idless Woods

 

As are the woods on the other side of the city.

The beautiful, peaceful woodland has a three-mile circuit for those who want to visit with dogs or exercise, but you can also explore – and get lost – among the trees, which make for great den building.

There’s an additional reason to visit now, the excellent Woodman’s Cabin café. Try the mushrooms on toast.

Restaurants

 

There’s a great array of restaurants if you want a night out – or a lunchtime treat.

Favourites include Mannings and Bustopher Jones, which is about to get a makeover under new owners, the city’s Nepalese restaurants – Yak & Yeti and Kathmandu Palace – and Hooked for fish lovers.

Hubbox and Sam’s In The City are the venues for American diner fans, while there are two new Thai destinations – Mai Thai in River Street and Soi21 at Vertigo bar in St Mary’s Street.

The Ganges and Shanaz are great Indian restaurants, Xen Noodle Bar is a beauty and if you like traditional tapas try Bodega 18 in Old Bridge Street, right opposite the always-popular Chorley’s South African eatery.

There are lots more too, including Italian mainstay Piero's and the hidden gem that is Tabb's – go exploring.

Bars

 

If you’re eating, you’ll want a drink too.

Truro is spoiled for bars and pubs. If cocktails are your thing there’s Lawrance’s Bakery & Bar which, unusually, sells cocktails next to cakes, as well as cake-flavoured cocktails, and the chi-chi On The Rocks.

Also in the same area around New Bridge Street are the always dependable Vertigo, Zafiros, The Lounge and, relatively new kid on the block, Roccos Gin & Retro Bar which has a great disco upstairs.

If you like it more traditional, there is the mighty White Hart which takes you back to the time when pubs were pubs, William IV, Barley Sheaf and Wig & Pen.

Bunters brings the sport, the Rising Sun brings the food and the Old Ale House brings the booze and live music.

Then there's Vanilla and The Office if you want a more clubby vibe.

There are a load more to explore too.

Richard Lander Monument

 

The Thomas Daniell pub at the top of Infirmary Hill is about to open under new owners so when you visit make sure you take in the grand spectacle that is the Richard Lander Monument opposite.

Not a statue in honour of the secondary school, but one of Truro’s great sons.

Born in the centre of Truro, he first left England at the age of 11 when he sailed to the West Indies on a merchant ship. Prior to that, he walked all the way to London at the age of nine!

In 1830 he discovered the source of the River Niger in Africa with his brother, John, and they sailed hundreds of miles along the Niger in a canoe.

He died aged 30 when attacked by members of an African tribe. The statue at the top of Lemon Street was erected in his memory in 1852.

Victoria Gardens

 

An oasis of calm and beauty in the heart of the city, Victoria Gardens was originally created to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Filled with all manner of exotic flora and fauna, the park also boasts a wonderful bandstand which plays host to concerts on Sundays during the summer.

Also worth visiting is the neighbouring granite railway viaduct. The original was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1859, but was replaced with the present structure in 1904, and now carries the main line from Paddington to Penzance.

Truro Community Library

 

Get off your phones (after you’ve finished reading this) and head into the stunning library in Union Place, as designed by famed 19th century Cornish architect Silvanus Trevail.

As well as all the books (including a huge Cornish section), the library offers storytime sessions for kids, computer classes, reading groups, special events and a lovely café.

As long as there’s a Truro there has to be this marvellous library.

Cornwall Family History Society

 

A bit of a hidden gem this, based on Lemon Street the voluntary organisation, which was set up 43 years ago, helps people the world over find their roots and research their Cornish family trees.

Always fancied making your own Who Do You Think You Are? Then this is the place. Feel free to drop in for a chat.

So forgetting the fact Truro is also the administrative centre of Cornwall and home to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, these are the reasons why Truro is such a great city.