Ten Interesting Facts About Truro

November 26th, 2021

If you’re looking for a stop on your Cornish holiday that is rich in local culture and history, then look no further than the city of Truro in the centre of Cornwall. 

With its cobbled streets and narrow alleyways, Truro offers a range of experiences for shopping, learning about history and eating!

To celebrate this great city and all it has to offer, we’ve made a list of our top most interesting facts about Truro.

1. Truro is the only city in Cornwall

When someone says the word city, it conjures up images of places like London or New York – great and expansive urban jungles complete with skyscrapers and all night traffic. But that’s not always the case. 

Despite having a population of 568,210 and an area of 3,563 km2 (1,376 sq mi), Cornwall only has only one city, Truro, which is famous for its ancient cobbled streets and Gothic and Georgian architecture. It gained its city status in 1877, three years before the building of the Truro Cathedral was started.

2. Truro is named after its three rivers

It’s been said that the name “Truro” is actually derived from the Cornish term “Tri-veru”, meaning three rivers. There are, in fact, three rivers that run through Truro: the Kenwyn, the Allen and the Truro River, which joins the River Fal further downstream.

Another theory suggests the name Truro is derived from the term “Tre-uro”, which means “settlement on the River Uro”. 

3. There is a direct train from Truro to London Paddington

Now there’s even more reason to choose Cornwall as your next staycation destination!

The journey can take anywhere between four and a half to six and half hours and offers passengers a marvellous scenic route along the South Devon coastline. The train also stops in Exeter, Bristol, Bath and Reading.

4. Truro Cathedral is one of only three cathedrals to have three spires

It’s very uncommon for a cathedral to have three spires, and there are only three in all of the UK that do. These are:

• Lichfield Cathedral – a medieval cathedral dating back to the 13th and early 14th century.
• St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral – a Gothic revival style Cathedral built in Edinburgh in the late 19th century. 
• Truro Cathedral – another Gothic revival style Cathedral that was completed in 1910.

5. Roger Taylor grew up in Truro

While he was actually born in Norfolk in 1949, Roger Taylor, drummer for the legendary rock band Queen, actually grew up in Truro.

While he was there, Taylor actually formed his first band at the age of seven with a group of school friends. They were called the Bubblingover Boys, and Roger Taylor played the ukulele. At 15, he became a member of the Reaction, a semi-professional rock band formed mostly of boys from Truro School, which Taylor also attended.

6. Truro was built from the tin and copper industry

Truro was able to rise in prosperity and reach city status thanks to the tin and copper trade. During the 14th century, a port in Truro was established so that metals mined in the surrounding areas of Cornwall could be exported overseas. Truro soon became the central hub in Cornwall and beyond for trading in tin but also slate, copper, cloth and grain.

7. Truro is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

We all know that Cornwall is a stunning place full of rolling fields and coastlines, perfect for a postcard, but did you know that Truro and its 220 acres of land has actually been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?

As well as being home to a wide variety of natural plants  and wildlife, there are also a number of astounding gardens near Truro, including  Tregothnan and Trelissick Gardens.

8. There is more than one Truro in the world

Like plenty of other towns or cities in the UK, Truro also has a couple of international counterparts. There is the town of Truro in Massachusetts, USA and the town of Truro in Nova Scotia, Canada.

9. Every year Truro hosts ‘The City of Lights’

This event is one of the biggest to take place in Truro all year! It begins with the initial switching on of Truro’s Christmas lights and then continues into a lantern parade. 

The parade takes place every year, and each time the lanterns tell a different story full of music and dance. School, community groups and local artists all come together to entertain crowds of over 30,000 spectators along the route.

10. The population of Truro is only 20,000

For a city, the population of Truro is rather low at only 20,920 as of 2021, which is even lower than that of Truro’s nearest town, Falmouth, which has a population of approximately 22,000.

The vast majority of the population is made up of over 60s, as the city makes for a great retirement spot. However, in recent years, there has been an influx of business and young entrepreneurs that have moved to the area.

We hope this list of interesting facts inspires you to make Truro one of the prime stops for your next Cornish holiday. If you’re looking for places to stay, our luxury holiday village in Cornwall near Truro is an ideal choice!