Truro

Travel Guide

Cornwall featuring farmland and landscape views
Cornwall which includes hiking or walking as well as an individual male
Cornwall showing a house and farmland
Cornwall featuring farmland and landscape views
Photo provided by Danny Evans/Jersey Images

Cornwall’s capital city offers excellent shopping and dining, along with lovely Georgian houses and interesting museums. 

Truro is a bustling commercial city with a lively center filled with cafés and shops. Cornwall’s only true city, Truro can trace its history back more than 800 years. Stroll through the town’s pleasant pedestrianized center, check out its imposing cathedral and admire its elegant 18th-century homes.

It’s impossible to miss the green spire of Truro Cathedral, which dominates the city center. Completed in 1910, the cathedral was built on the site of 16th-century St. Mary’s Church. The parish church was incorporated into the cathedral’s design to serve as its Lady Chapel. Admire the cathedral’s Gothic Revival architecture and especially the Victorian stained-glass windows inside.

Set in a Georgian building, the Royal Cornwall Museum features a number of permanent displays focused on Cornwall’s history. Don’t miss the museum’s small gallery, which includes works by Stanhope Forbes and Anthony van Dyck. Look for interesting torques, metal neck chains worn by the Celts. Browse through the excellent photo collection of more than 50,000 images dating between 1845 and the present. Head upstairs to the Egyptian section to see the museum’s unwrapped 25th-dynasty mummy.

Walk down Lemon Street to see beautiful Georgian mansions built during the city’s prosperous past. Notice the pale stone used for the houses’ façades, a rare feature in Cornwall. Follow Lemon Street toward the Lander Monument, a 19th-century column honoring the Lander brothers, local explorers known for discovering the source of the Niger.

Check out the cafés, delis and barbers in the large indoor Lemon Street Market. The Lander Gallery on the first floor is touted as having the county’s largest collection of classic and contemporary Cornish art. The town also hosts a local farmers market in the piazza at Lemon Quay on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Ride National Express coach routes to Truro from cities across the U.K. or take the train directly from London Paddington, South Wales and Scotland. Newquay is the closest airport to the city.

County Arms

County Arms

4 out of 5
Highertown, Truro, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €124 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€124
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star inn in Truro. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (635 reviews)
A fab break
"It was just what we needed. Easy to find and a lovely position. It wasn't too far from everything but was not in the madness of the city. Huge room and well cleaned and always organised by the time we returned each day"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

County Arms
The Alverton

The Alverton

4 out of 5
Tregolls Road, Truro, England
The price is €163 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
€163
10 Sept - 11 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Truro. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (882 reviews)
"Need taxi service or a car from this former convent to explore"

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

The Alverton
The Ship and Castle

The Ship and Castle

3 out of 5
THE WATERFRONT, SAINT MAWES, Truro, England
The price is €92 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€92
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Truro. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.2/10 Good! (282 reviews)
"Would def stay there again."

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

The Ship and Castle
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beach Cottage with amazing beach and sea views

Beach Cottage with amazing beach and sea views

Porthtowan
Stay at this cottage in Truro. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Porthtowan Beach and Chapel Porth Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (135 reviews)
Mr Les cook
"Nice property nice location good value for money"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Beach Cottage with amazing beach and sea views
Contemporary Beach House with sea views and short walk to Blue Flag beach

Contemporary Beach House with sea views and short walk to Blue Flag beach

Porthtowan
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Truro. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Porthtowan ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (135 reviews)
Great location and value for money
"A lovely Beach House, in a down to earth part of Cornwall. Great price and great spaces."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Contemporary Beach House with sea views and short walk to Blue Flag beach
Rural barn conversion

Rural barn conversion

TRURO
Stay at this vacation home in Truro. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Stithians Lake and Gwennap Pit are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (133 reviews)
"Fantastic place to stay in wonderful location with beautiful furniture and trimmings. A quiet home from home in farmland."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Rural barn conversion
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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