BEST OF 2020

SPOTLIGHT on

HISTORY Truro is Cornwall’s only city and with a population of circa 19,000 it is one of the country’s smaller ones. The name Truro is believed to derive from Tri-veru Cornish for three and there are three rivers running through, and underneath, Truro.

Truro started life as a Celtic village but in the 14th century it was not only a market town and port but also a Stannary town with the assayed tin and copper being shipped from the town’s port the 8 miles downriver past Falmouth to the open sea. Assaying involved cutting a corner of an ingot and testing and stamping the metal for purity. In 1838 when Truro ceased to be a Stannary town the town continued to prosper due to the success of the port.

K E N W Y L N L MORESK TH I D E R PublicL Toilets ShopmobilityH A O VIADUCT A L V A I EN L O H U L D E R E D Public Telephone Children's Play Area L H K P E S A I C E U F T R L P Police Station Tourist InforI mation Centre ’ M O S M PYDAR A M T C STREET Bowling Alley E R Church Long Stay Car Park R A PY C D E BusPR OStop Short Stay Car Park AR SPECT S T PL T CARRICK R ACE R U E R E HOUSE O TaxiPA Rank Main Shopping Area T UL’S V RO E W

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TRURO IN 2020 Today Truro is Cornwall’s administrative, commercial and retail centre. The crown court, the county’s main hospital and are all situated here. Whilst little survives from medieval times there is some fine 18th century architecture on display including Lemon Street which is reputed to be the finest Georgian street west of Bath. To stroll around the city centre through the cobbled streets and opes (a local term for a narrow alley) will not take long providing you don’t get stuck in the appropriately named Squeeze Guts Alley!

Truro is well served by train or bus and as one would expect there are several car parks within the city. There are Park & Rides situated on the north west and the south east approaches which provide a cheap, convenient and efficient service. In the summer months one can let the ferry take the strain as there is a service from Falmouth and and the scenery along the Falmouth and Truro rivers is truly beautiful.

Tourist Information Centre – In Boscawen Street will be able to give you maps and visitor information.

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SHOPPING There is a good mix of national chains and independent shops. For those staying in self-catering accommodation Truro has supermarkets aplenty. Truro is still a market town with a farmers’ market on Lemon Quay every Wednesday and Saturday. EATING & DRINKING Truro has a plethora of pubs, cafes, teashops and restaurants of most culinary persuasions. Please see page 46 for details of a few that we like. THINGS TO DO AND SEE

PARKS AND GARDENS Truro has several parks and gardens which are marked in green on the map. For a beautiful tranquil garden we’d recommend Victoria Gardens and if you have young children we’d suggest Boscawen Park which has lots of recently installed equipment to keep them occupied.

RIVER TRIP Enterprise Boats, Town Quay, Truro TR1 2HJ T: 01326 474119 W: www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/enterprise-boats

The Truro joins the Fal at Malpas and a ferry that runs between Truro and Falmouth will take you along the rivers past the King Harry Ferry that links the Roseland Peninsula with Truro & Falmouth, a mussel farm and Treiissick where you can alight. After which the ferry will take you across the and down to Falmouth. The Carrick Roads is a name for the Fal estuary which is the world’s third largest natural harbour behind Sidney and Rio. During the trip the skipper will give you a commentary as to what is on the banks of one of the most beautiful rivers in the UK.

ROYAL CORNWALL MUSEUM River Street, Truro TR1 2SJ T: 01872 272205 W: www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk Cornwall’s leading museum is open 6 days a week (closed on Mondays). In addition to items from Cornwall’s past this is the only museum in Cornwall with, a British Museum supported, Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian permanent exhibition.

PLAZA CINEMA 69 Lemon Street, Truro TR1 2PN T: 01872 272894 W: 01872 272894 TRURO CATHEDRAL High Cross, Truro TR1 2AF T: 01872 276782 W: www.trurocathedral.org.uk Truro was part of the diocese of Exeter until 1876. The cathedral foundation stone was laid in 1880 and 30 years later in 1910 the cathedral was completed. Since then it has dominated the Truro skyline and with a shop and café is well worth a visit.

GUIDED TOUR Every Wednesday between May & September there is a guided walk around Truro leaving the Tourist Information Centre at 11am. Alternatively you can purchase the book ‘Footsteps around Truro’ from the TIC and complete a self-guided tour.

SKINNERS BREWERY Newham Road, Riverside, Truro TR1 2DP T: 01872 271885 W: www.skinnersbrewery.com A brewery tasting tour of Skinners Brewery is a great way of spending an hour or three. The brewery is based just a stone’s throw from the centre of town and are available Monday to Friday. Richard Lander Monument

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