Truro was established in Celtic times, and became a centre of commerce since it was declared a ‘stannary’ town (weighing and shipping tin worldwide). During the 18th Century as prices for tin rocketed, wealthy mine owners built elegant houses, established parks and planted public gardens. There is still a wealth of historical buildings in Truro and it is one of the most Georgian towns outside Bath in Somerset. Truro’s most famous landmark is its 125 year old Cathedral which dominates the skyline for many miles.
Shopping and Crafts
Truro is a great shopping town with lots of international brands, but it also has a certain bohemian feel with independent crafts for sale. The Pannier Market had been trading for 30 years and has over 40 independent traders, everything from jewellery to books to prints and all with a personal story. Every Wednesday and Saturday on Lemon Quay in the heart of the city is the Farmers market, selling local fruit & veg’, bread and sweet bites. Why not stroll around the markets and wander down the many narrow streets lined with quaint tea shops, call in and have the world famous Cornish cream tea.
Eating out
No trip to Cornwall would be complete without sampling their traditional Cornish Pasty – an entire dinner wrapped in warm pastry. In times gone past it was used as lunch for the miners who apparently heated them up on their shovels. Now you can eat all sorts of exotic flavours from steak and stilton, goat’s cheese and grilled peppers and maybe even chicken tikka? The Purists lament these changes and the traditional steak with potatoes, swede and onion is by far the most popular. The West Country of Britain is famous for its cider and the Truro has many local ciders and micro-breweries for you to sample. There is a real pavement café feel weather permitting or you can always pop into one of their famous pubs to sample their friendly environs.
Not to be missed
In 2006 Cornish Tin Mines were given a UNESCO World Heritage sites which places them in the same ranking as the Taj Mahal and The Great Wall of China. There are ten areas in Cornwall and the largest is a few miles drive from Truro. There are 20,000 acres in the whole Heritage sites so make sure you take a trip to see how Cornish tin mining transformed the world. In fact anywhere globally where there is tin mined you are sure to find a town called Truro – Nova Scotia’s, West Virginia, Massachusetts and South Australia.
A trip down one of the mines recreates what life was like 150 years ago where health and safety was a pipe dream. It is truly captivating and will have you talking about it for months.
Activities and Excursions
No trip to Cornwall would be complete without surfing and there is lots of suitable beaches close by. Or maybe you fancy catching up on the history of the town then pop into www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk or check out what concerts and events are scheduled while you are there at www.hallforcornwall.co.uk .
If you have a free day why not take a leisurely boat trip down the Fal River and discover a world unchanged for centuries. You can cruise past seals and otters and forgotten coves, down the river to Falmouth.