Hiding away in the Cornish countryside is Truro, a bustling little city with backdrops of memorable architecture and cosy, narrow streets. If you only have time for a short break with your partner, you will want to get the most out of your time together. Truro is a fantastic destination to spend a weekend getaway full of adventure and life.
Truro is ideally situated in Western Cornwall on the tip of South-West England. It is the only city in the county, making it a special place to visit.
The luxury Cornish cottages at The Valley are ideal for a weekend stay in Truro. Our cottages are in a gorgeous gated woodland ten minutes from the city centre, offering excellent links to the surrounding areas. Ideally situated to visit beaches on Cornwall’s north and south coast, you’ll undoubtedly need this guide to help narrow down where to go!
Truro is a tiny city close to many natural wonders, unlike many other city breaks. You can escape to the tranquillity of the local beaches and woodlands at a moment’s notice! With a rich history, the city has a magical feel, helped by its impressive architecture. With plenty to see and do, the city is also great for shopping and dining, with an abundant mix of quaintly unique spots and high-street names to explore.
Truro and the surrounding area boast an endless supply of fascinating features, exciting experiences and things to do and see, all within the beautiful Cornish landscape. Here’s how you can spend a weekend break in Truro.
The beaches in Cornwall are undeniably one of the biggest draws for visitors. With almost 300 miles of coastline, there are certainly plenty to choose from, and many are only a short drive away from Truro.
One of the best beaches near Truro is one of Cornwall’s best-kept secrets, Carne Beach. This secluded bay is looked after by the National Trust and is situated in the heart of the stunning Roseland Peninsula.
Carne is a great all-round beach, perfect for a seaside stroll, sunbathing, or exploring the rock pools. As well as being a great family beach, it welcomes dogs year-round, so if you’re bringing your pup along for the holiday, they can have fun at the beach, too!
Carne Beach is a little more isolated than Cornwall’s neighbouring beaches, so if you’re looking for a tranquil place to go, even in peak times, you should consider relaxing here. With ice cream vans regularly serving this sunny spot, too, you can cool down with a taste of Cornwall’s finest cream.
If you’d like to know more and adventure around Truro’s other stunning beaches, many of which are dog-friendly, our guide below can help.
Truro’s streets, lined with stunning Georgian architecture, invite you to explore the area’s history, leading you to the famous Lemon Street Market, where you will find an assortment of independent shops and galleries.
More shops can be found on Lemon Quay, and unlike many cities, there is a healthy mix of nationally-known stores as well as a varied range of independent boutiques and stores selling jewellery, clothing and other delights. These qualities crown Truro as one of the most enjoyable shopping experiences in the South West!
Aside from the shopping, Truro’s City Centre is home to some fantastic attractions, such as the stunning Truro Cathedral, a must-see for those visiting the area. The impressive landmark has some beautiful stained-glass windows; if you’re lucky, you’ll hear the organ played.
Another point of historical interest is the Royal Cornwall Museum, which is also found in the town centre. Having been established 200 years ago, the museum is filled with thousands of interesting objects from around Cornwall and the rest of the world. The museum is also home to some of the finest art exhibits in the county, so there will be something to keep everyone entertained.
Taking a guided walking tour of the city is an excellent way to ensure you don’t miss the best parts. Walking tours usually cost around £7.50 per person, and you’ll be guided around by a local, so you can relax and take it all in without having to think about where you’re going next or follow Google Maps.
If there are no places left, or you’d prefer to guide yourself around the city instead, you can pick up a useful, self-guided map, ‘Little City – Big History’ from the information centre on Boscawen Street.
The name ‘Truro’ is said to have originated from the Cornish word ‘Tri-veru’, which means three rivers, so it’s no surprise that rivers play a big part in the city. The three rivers in Truro are the Allen, the Kenwyn and the River Truro, which flows into the River Fal.
As well as some beautiful riverside walks, there are many opportunities to hop on a boat for a trip down the river. Here, you can enjoy the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and spot some of the local Cornish wildlife.
If you go down to the River Fal, you are bound to spot an abundance of marine life, including dolphins, seals, porpoises and sunfish, as well as seabirds such as cormorants, gannets and guillemot, making it a haven for animal lovers!
Image credit Colin21958 under CC BY-SA 4.0
The warmer climate and seaside location make Cornwall an ideal place for gardens, and some of the most luscious lands can be found near Truro.
One of the closest gardens to Truro is Trelissick, which sits at the head of the Fal Estuary. As a National Trust estate, the grounds are kept in excellent condition, and you’ll see a fantastic assortment of plants year-round, making it the perfect place for a picnic.
Garden lovers will be spoiled for choice, as Trebah Garden, Glendurgan Garden and The Lost Gardens of Heligan are only a short drive away from Truro. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a tropical paradise, with your city break in Truro starting to feel like an exotic island vacation!
In Truro and the surrounding towns, there are plenty of places to visit. You will find Healey’s Cyder Farm in the countryside, which is a great day out for adults and kids alike. The award-winning farm lets you explore the grounds on a tractor ride and see all of the animals that live on the farm, including Shetland Ponies, Cornish Black pigs and Pygmy goats.
Then, tour the distillery before sampling a sip of the unique cider!
There is plenty to see and do over in the neighbouring town, Falmouth, with the impressive Pendennis Castle proving a must-see for history fans. The castle, originally Henry VIII’s coastal fortress, has a rich history, so the interactive exhibitions are fascinating and fun.
Let’s not skip the most important part! After a long day of exploring, you deserve to indulge in Truro’s variety of delicious eateries. You can’t come to Cornwall without trying a good portion of fish and chips or a traditional Cornish pasty!
Did you know that a pasty can only be considered ‘Cornish’ if prepared in Cornwall? That means you must be in the county for the best experience of a freshly baked bite of heaven. As the trademark foods of the county, you’ll be spotting chippies and pasty shops at every turn.
For fans of burgers, head to HUBBOX or Sam’s in the City, where you can also sample some of the seafood offerings from Cornwall’s latest catches!
With the sea providing an excellent source for delicious meals, there are hundreds of incredible Foodie Spots in Truro for an evening meal.
If you’re staying with us at The Valley, then join us for dinner at Azura Restaurant & Bar, where delicious dishes are served to suit all dietary needs, with a regularly changing menu to reflect the seasonal local produce available.
Feature image by Tim Green under CC BY 2.0
THE VALLEY is proud to be the only 5 Star Gold Self Catering holiday village of its size in the whole of Cornwall
