Explore the fascinating activities on offer in Truro and its surrounding area
Truro, the only city in Cornwall, is a fantastic choice for a day out.
An excellent shopping destination, Truro boasts hundreds of independent businesses nestled between larger high-street stores and an eclectic mix of cafés and restaurants offering a drink and a light bite or something more substantial.
Stroll around the Lemon Quay indoor market or window shop on the bustling high street – there’s plenty in Truro to fill your day.
If shopping isn’t for you, here are four more activities in Truro that might take your fancy…
Hall for Cornwall
The recently refurbished Hall for Cornwall, formerly known as Truro City Hall, is a fantastic performance and concert venue. An impressive example of 19th-century civic architecture, Hall for Cornwall is brimming with history and makes for a great venue in which to immerse yourself in the world of art and culture.
Whether you fancy laughing along to live comedy, dressing up for a night at the opera, or getting into the festive spirit at a seasonal pantomime, Hall for Cornwall plays host to a multitude of events to suit a variety of tastes.
Coming up at Hall for Cornwall are workshops such as the Embroidered Swimming Robe Workshop With Start To Stitch, or Wreath Making With Wild Rose Cornwall, live music including ABBA Party Night, Illegal Eagles and The Simon and Garfunkel Story as well as theatre performances of The Lavender Hill Mob and Mrs Warren’s Profession.
If you only have a short time to stop by, the Green Room Café is a great place to have a drink, enjoy a slice of cake or grab a bite for lunch.
Electric vehicle charging: GeniePoint Charging Station is less than a ten-minute walk away – TR1 2SS.
Royal Cornwall Museum
Truro’s Royal Cornwall Museum is a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.
A cultural hub and home to a wide array of artefacts including an Egyptian mummy, the exhibitions on display will capture the attention of young and old.
Royal Cornwall Museum’s current exhibitions include Into the Carrick Roads – Exploring Hidden Cornwall (a visual journey along the river from Falmouth to Truro) and A Different View (the life and work of the Modernist Art movement’s Bryan Pearce), with Lepidoptera (Bridget Macklin’s ceramic exploration of butterflies) which runs until 14th January 2023.
For younger visitors, there’s lots of fun to be had at the museum including explorer backpacks, interactive exhibitions, dressing up and galleries including wildlife exhibits, rocks and minerals, and ancient Greece and Rome.
Those with a keen interest in Cornish history can visit the Courtney Library to access documents from the Cornish History Research Centre (by appointment only).
Once you’ve finished admiring the exhibitions, head to the Arts Café (located between Royal Cornwall Museum and Truro Arts Company) while you decide what to do next.
Electric vehicle charging: SSE Charging Station is a six-minute walk away – TR1 1EA.
Truro Cathedral
If you want to explore more of the historic Truro, a visit to Truro Cathedral is a must.
Located in the centre of the city, the cathedral is a popular hub and offers free entry as well as a variety of different events for people of all ages.
Built between 1880 and 1910, the cathedral offers an impressive example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. Look out for the brass eagle, the stunning collection of Victorian stained-glass windows and the magnificent High Altar.
You can opt for a guided tour, take in the cathedral gift shop, have a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant or simply wander the different spaces of the cathedral’s magnificent interior at your own pace.
It’s worth checking out the What’s On section of the cathedral’s website, which offers a programme of exhibitions, courses, recitals, concerts and workshops for children, as well as details of worship and services.
Electric vehicle charging: SSE Charging Station is a seven-minute walk away – TR1 1EA.
Boscawen Park
Boscawen Park is a vast public park on the banks of the Truro River.
Located just a five-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from the town centre, the park is also easily accessible by public transport.
If you decide to walk, the stroll towards the park along Malpas Road on the banks of the Truro River is a pleasant way to take in the local area.
There is a wide variety of free activities on offer in the park including the refurbished children’s play area (with a sandpit, climbing equipment, swings and slides), outdoor exercise equipment, a duck pond, and beautiful woodlands.
If you want your visit to Boscawen Park to be a bit more active, there are eight tennis courts, three football pitches and a cricket pitch available to hire.
There’s something here for everyone, including your four-legged friends who are able to join you in the park on a lead or have a run around in the designated dog exercise area by the tennis courts.
Electric vehicle charging: PodPoint Charging Station is a 20-minute walk away – TR1 2TN.
