In February I had the occasion to visit Truro. The name Truro is believed to have come from Tri-veru, meaning three rivers, after the Kenwyn, the Allen and the Tinney. Together these form the Truro River which flows into the Carrick Roads and the River Fal. The rivers mostly run under the streets though so there aren’t many river walks in the compact city. Truro is only 20 miles from me, which takes an hour and a half on the bus and about 25 mins in the car, and not a place I have visited often since moving down here. Although Cornwall’s only city I am afraid it doesn’t really appeal to me. It doesn’t have any distinct areas that other cities have and the architecture is all over the place, although predominantly Georgian with some Regency and Victorian buildings. It apparently has ‘the best examples of Georgian architecture west of Bath’. Really?
There are a lot of ‘high street’ shops and many interesting independent shops and there is an indoor market on Lemon Quay, a name that invokes a place full of scent and beauty. It’s not. Some days there is an outdoor market too, but I never seem to get the day right. The Hall for Cornwall offers entertainment and there is the Royal Cornwall Museum so plenty to offer the visitor one would think.
However, I am not a shopper. I shop when it is necessary and therefore other than grocery shopping, not that often. I need something more than shops to draw me to a place. You would think that being on a river there would be lovely river walks. If there are I haven’t yet found them. And a walk to the Victoria gardens proved disappointing too and the gardens themselves rather too municipal for my liking.
Perhaps I am hard to please. There is an unusual three-spired Gothic-style cathedral¹, though even my first visit to that left me underwhelmed. I did give it another chance this time and found it to be less uninspiring than I had first thought so it definitely deserves a post of its own.
Meanwhile here are a couple of galleries of my impressions of Truro whilst wandering through the city, and if anyone knows it well and can suggest to me any nice walks or areas of particular interest, then please do so in the comment section. I’d love to be proved wrong.
Architecture
Eclectic Truro
¹ There are only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom with three spires. Lichfield Cathedral, dating from the 13th and early 14th centuries is the only medieval cathedral. Between the 14th and 16th centuries Lincoln Cathedral also had three spires, but the central spire collapsed in a storm and was not rebuilt thereafter. Both Truro Cathedral, Cornwall (late 19th–early 20th century) and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh (late 19th century) were built in the Gothic Revival style and also have three spires.
If you enjoy a walk, long or short, then have a look at Jo’s site where you are welcome to join in.
Cornwall in Colours 
oh dear!! Isn’t it strange how some cities just don’t inspire us at all. I haven’t been to Truro since I was a little girl and so my memories won’t be any good at all. . . in fact all I can remember is fudge!
At least the fudge must have been good 😀
Cities, whatever their size, aren’t my thing at all, but you’ve captured some wonderfully quirky things around this one. I love the pink and blue building in the first shot 🙂
I like to look for interesting architecture and quirky things in a town or city. Markets or old towns appeal to me, but Truro’s market is indoors and not especially appealing. The Lemon Street Market is nicer, but more of a shopping mall than a true market.
I’ve been to Truro, but really can’t comment on whether I thought it was lovely or not because my visit was really limited to Marks and Spencers (I have no idea why!) and a nice tea room for a cream tea. However, your photos make it look quite inviting!