Top 12 things to do in Truro

Cornwall’s capital city of Truro may be small, but it certainly packs a punch. One of our top 10 places to stay in Cornwall, it’s positioned mid-way between the north and south coasts, making it a great base for both beach days and country rambles. The city’s handsome streets are filled with irresistible shops, galleries, bars, pubs and excellent places to eat, and if you need a break from the hustle and bustle, there are plenty of tranquil parks, gardens and open spaces where you can sit back and relax.

If you’re looking for things to do in Truro, there’s plenty on offer, whether you feel like getting active, exploring some culture or trying something completely different. The major sites of Truro Cathedral and the Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery are always popular, but did you know that you can also go quad biking, learn to surf and throw some axes, all within 9 miles of the city centre?

If you’re intrigued by everything that Truro has to offer, take a look at our selection of high-quality holiday cottages nearby, perfect for couples, families, groups and canine companions – and book your next escape to Cornwall today.

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Visit Truro Cathedral

With its dramatic spires which soar into the Cornish sky and act as a focal point for the whole of the city, Truro Cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival style. It was completed in 1910, incredibly, the first Anglican cathedral to be built on a new site since Salisbury Cathedral in 1220. Visitors can see some of the best Victorian stained glass in the country, the High Altar and its carved-stone reredos, an ebony statue of the Madonna and child and a granite pieta carved by Breton monks in the 14^th century. Join a tour at 11am most Mondays to Thursdays between March and October, and there are occasional roof and tower tours, too.

Look around a museum

The Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery is the county’s largest museum of cultural history and stories about the life and people of Cornwall. It’s home to more than one million objects, with permanent collections displayed in six fascinating galleries: Heart of Cornwall, Nature, Art, Mineral, Photography and Ancient Civilisations. Discover myths and legends, learn about Cornwall’s wildlife and habitats, and see works of art from the European Renaissance through to modern Cornish painters.    

Visit a farmer’s market

As well as its exciting range of high-street and independent shops, Truro is home to two indoor markets, The Pannier Market and Lemon Street Market, plus a well-regarded farmer’s market that takes place twice a week outdoors on Lemon Quay. Every Wednesday and Saturday, the green-and-white striped awnings are lined up along the quay as visitors peruse local delicacies ranging from grass-fed beef to Cornish chillies. One not to miss. 

Take a river cruise to Falmouth

There’s nothing more relaxing than a slow and gentle cruise along the river through beautiful countryside. From outside the Cornwall Museum, jump on a number 496 bus (Mondays to Saturdays), which drops you at the beautiful riverside village of Malpas ten minutes later, where you can board an Enterprise Boat to take you to the stunning National Trust gardens of Trelissick and the chic maritime port of Falmouth. On the classic wooden ferry, which has two decks with covered seating and offers light refreshments, you’ll sail along the Fal River through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, passing Tudor castles, wooded valleys, historic houses and an abundance of marine activity. 

Head to the beach

Wherever you are in Cornwall, you’re never far from a beach, and that even goes for the city of Truro. Drive south just 5.5 miles and you’ll find Loe Beach, small and sheltered, with shingle and sand flanked by rock pools. A beautiful place for a waterside stroll, a swim in the calm waters or to try your hand at sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or powerboating. Loe Beach Watersports offers lessons and equipment hire.

Play a round of golf

The 18-hole, par 67 course at Truro Golf Club is just 2 miles from the centre of Truro. Founded in 1937, the course is set over undulating parkland and surrounded by glorious mature trees. Visitors are warmly welcomed and there’s a newly refurbished restaurant and bar where you can enjoy refreshments on the full-length balcony overlooking the course and the city beyond.

See a show

Renovated in 2021, the Hall for Cornwall sits within a Grade-II* building in the heart of Truro, with a three-tier, 1,300-seat auditorium, plus Green Room Café and Playhouse Bar. From musicals to stand-up comedy, tribute acts to community dance, this excellent theatre offers a lively programme of entertainment to suit all tastes. 

Play an escape game

Race against the clock, working with your team to solve a unique puzzle, at Enigma Escape, an independently owned escape room in the centre of the city. Choose from three immersive, themed experiences, each filled with authentic props, sounds and music: Fear of the Unknown, The Bletchley Test and Don’t Panic! You’ll be briefed by a games leader, who’ll introduce you to your story and stay on hand to help you complete your task. Good luck!

Experience virtual reality gaming

Are you ready for a virtual-reality experience? Don a headset at Player Ready Truro and you can be immersed in a racing or flight simulator, surrounded by zombies or playing an arcade game. There’s also a free-roam family escape room for up to six players, and much more. With over 260 metres of gaming space, air conditioning and free parking, this is definitely a great option for those difficult-to-please teenagers. 

Throw some axes

It might not be what you were expecting to do on holiday in Cornwall, but the reviews all praise just how much fun axe-throwing can be! Have a go with The Celtic Tossers, based in the heart of Truro. Each session lasts an hour (it’s surprisingly active) and you’ll have a maximum of three people per target. Learn the ropes with a mini ninja axe, then get into competitive mode with the larger hatchets, experimenting with different throwing styles and even trying some trick shots. 

Stroll around a water garden

Located 3 miles outside Truro, Penrose Water Gardens is set in a wooded valley with six acres of marshland and woodland. Natural springs feed more than 40 lily ponds and informal nature ponds, where you’ll see hundreds of varieties of plants as well as ducks, moorhens and kingfishers. Sit and relax among the tranquil views, or enjoy a coffee and cake or lunch at the café.  

Go quad biking

Head to Blackwater, 7 miles from Truro, to find the UK’s largest all-terrain vehicle track at The ATV Centre. There are three circuits – one for tuition, one with wide corners and gentle gradients for all ages and abilities, and one for more adventurous riders that features steeper slopes, sharper corners and fast jumps. You’ll be provided with safety gear and taught how to use the bikes, before heading onto the track to enjoy the challenges and thrills of this fast-growing sport. 

Stay in Truro

After a busy day in Cornwall’s capital, head home and relax in one of our high-quality holiday cottages. We have self-catering properties for couples, families and groups, many of them dog-friendly, too. To find out more, just click the link below.