As Cornwall’s capital and only city, Truro is a hub of culture with plenty to offer for the enrichment of anyone interested in the arts and humanities. With a range of art galleries, performing arts centres, and music venues, as well as a fascinating history and incredible architecture to offer, Truro has a unique and long-lasting culture to indulge in.
Here are some of the best activities and sites for those wanting to immerse themselves in the rich culture of this wonderful city.
Hall for Cornwall
Located in a Grade II listed Italianate-style building on Boscawen Street, this performing arts space and events venue is a staple of Truro’s arts culture. The venue hosts theatre, opera, dance, music, and comedy events, with an ever-changing schedule. Hall for Cornwall boasts a 1,300+ seat three-tier auditorium known as the Cornwall Playhouse.
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Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
Truro’s largest museum, the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, is home to a fantastic collection of local art and exhibits on the history of Cornwall and its culture. The art gallery features works by Newlyn School artists, particularly Henry Scott Tuke, as well as Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Frost, Bryan Pearce, and various Renaissance-era artists.
The museum features temporary exhibitions displaying Cornwall’s history, as well as several permanent collections focused on specific aspects of the culture. This is a wonderful place to visit for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike, as well as those simply looking to learn about the local culture.
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Lemon Street Gallery
This contemporary art gallery is one of the country’s best contemporary art spaces, located in a spacious classical building. Renowned for its eclectic selection of exhibitions, the gallery showcases a variety of works by both established and up-and-coming British artists in the contemporary art community.
Truro Cathedral
Truro Cathedral is an example of the city’s incredible Gothic Revival architecture. Featuring Victorian stained glass windows, this wonderful building is a display of the architectural culture of the city. The cathedral was built between 1880 and 1910, and was restored in the 2000s.
It is also the home of one of the finest organs in the country, made by Henry Willis in 1887. Truro Cathedral is not only a landmark for those interested in history and religion but also for anyone who enjoys the aesthetics of Gothic architecture.
Old Bakery Studios
Located within the historic Blewett’s Wharf building, this venue offers a range of music and comedy events. Their unique ground-floor live music venue has a varying line-up of an eclectic mix of musicians and bands.
It is also a performing arts space, often hosting fringe theatre events and drama workshops. There are also frequent comedy shows and film screenings, so there truly is a wide range of cultural experiences to engage in offered here.
Truro is home to plenty of interesting historical spaces and arts venues, and is sure to have something for everybody. From the incredible architecture of Truro Cathedral to art galleries and theatres, Cornwall’s capital has a fantastic range of cultural activities to indulge in.
The Valley offers holiday cottages near Truro, Cornwall, which make the perfect base for your adventures in Cornwall. Our self-catering cottages are only 15 minutes drive away from the city centre, so you can easily enjoy all of these incredible cultural activities in Truro.