Truro

Travel Guide

Cornwall showing farmland and landscape views
Cornwall showing hiking or walking as well as an individual male
Cornwall featuring farmland and a house
Cornwall which includes landscape views and farmland
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 P6,855 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P6,855
P8,226 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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 Aug 4, 2025

County Arms
The Alverton

The Alverton

4 out of 5
Tregolls Road, Truro, England
The price is P8,664 per night from Sep 11 to Sep 12
P8,664
P10,397 total
Sep 11 - Sep 12
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! (884 reviews)
"Need taxi service or a car from this former convent to explore"

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2025

The Alverton
The Ship and Castle

The Ship and Castle

3 out of 5
THE WATERFRONT, SAINT MAWES, Truro, England
The price is P5,069 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P5,069
P6,083 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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 Aug 7, 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.
Primrose Farm Holidays

Primrose Farm Holidays

2 out of 5
Penstraze, Truro, England
Stay at this campground in Truro. Enjoy free parking, private hot tubs, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Killiow Golf Club and Gwennap Pit are located ...
Great
"Absolutely great place, easy to get to. Clean. Well kept. Would definitely use again"

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2023

Primrose Farm Holidays
Truro Apartment Retreat

Truro Apartment Retreat

3 out of 5
Albert Place, Truro, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Truro. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Royal Cornwall Museum and Lemon St Market are located nearby.
Truro Apartment Retreat
Five Elements Studio

Five Elements Studio

3 out of 5
Truro
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Truro. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private hot tubs. Popular attractions St Agnes Museum and Trevaunance Cove are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Cozy Cornwall Baecation
"Had a lovely time at Five Elements Studio, lovely grounds for a peaceful stay, it’s out the way but still close enough to visit all the good spots in Cornwall. Very clean and has a cozy feel about it, perfect for a romantic get away! Only downside being check out is a little on the early side at ..."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Five Elements Studio
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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