Touring Truro: A Guide to Cornwall’s Charming Cathedral City

(9 reviews)

Truro audio tour: Touring Truro: A Guide to Cornwall’s Charming Cathedral City

This is a 2.1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 45 mins to complete.

Truro

The United Kingdom

$8.99

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About the Tour

Truro became Cornwall’s Cathedral City in 1877 when, after separating from the Diocese of Exeter, it was granted its own bishop. On this walking tour of Cornwall’s only city, you’ll hear about its humble beginnings as a medieval tin-mining village, its vibrant present, and its promising future, as you explore different eras, cultures and picturesque landscapes to discover Truro’s heart.

The tour starts on the vibrant Lemon Quay Piazza. You’ll delve into the city’s rich mining history as you navigate through charming streets and past atmospheric pubs. You’ll meander along the river and discover its integral role in shaping Truro’s identity. On Fairmantle Street, I’ll share tales of Truro’s once-thriving wool industry, and you’ll hear about the ancient Moresk Castle and Earl Ordwulf, who governed its halls. On High Cross Street you’ll catch glimpses of picturesque Georgian buildings and serene gardens dotting the landscape. Our journey ends at the towering Truro Cathedral, where you can savor its gothic brilliance and maybe even sample a Cornish Pasty or Cream Tea – and make sure to put the jam on first!

On this 45-minute tour, you’ll get the chance to:

Pass the Old Ale House, a legendary Cornish pub where patrons practice the odd tradition of cracking and tossing monkey nuts onto the floor
Visit Truro Cathedral and learn how this iconic landmark, in its Gothic revival style, became a focal point of Truro’s identity
Learn about the Royal Cornwall Museum’s remarkable architect Philip Sambell, who was both deaf and mute
Explore the Victorian architecture of Lemon Street and discover the importance of one pivotal family in Truro’s growth at Lander Monument
Follow in the footsteps of by-gone miners at Coinage Hall and hear about Truro’s past as a Stannary Town (a medieval village designated for tin mining)
Meander through a Georgian Terrace at Walsingham Place and find out how poet laureate Sir John Betjeman advocated for its preservation when it faced demolition
Stroll through Truro’s Farmers Market, where local artisans and craftsmen showcase their talents amidst a bustling atmosphere of commerce and camaraderie
Enjoy peace and tranquility at Victoria Gardens, built in celebration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee

By the end of this tour, you’ll have discovered the delightful chapters in this city’s captivating saga. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a culture buff, or simply a curious traveler, there’s something magical that awaits you in the heart of Cornwall’s beloved cathedral city.

Tour Producer

Penelewey Tours

6 tours

Hi, I’m Becky Frost, a proud Cornish storyteller and founder of Penelewey Tours and Penelewey Audio Story Tours, also known as PAST. I create immersive walking audio tours and GPS guided audio experiences on the VoiceMap platform, bringing history, culture, and place vividly to life across Cornwall, the South West of England and beyond.

I specialise in historical walking audio tours, indoor audio guides, and place based storytelling for heritage sites, cultural organisations, cities, and coastal towns. My work covers research, scriptwriting, narration, and delivery of audio tours from concept through to launch, ensuring each experience is authentic, accessible, and thoughtfully paced.

As a fisherman’s daughter raised by the sea, storytelling has always been part of my world. My work is rooted in landscape, memory, and the voices of ordinary people, those whose stories are often walked past rather than truly heard. Through carefully researched and locally voiced audio tours, I invite listeners to slow down and connect with the layers of history beneath their feet.

My greatest fascination lies in the Celtic period, shaped by the movement of people, ideas, trade, and shared culture, alongside Cornwall’s long history of resilience and its ongoing fight to retain identity and land. These themes run quietly through my work, blending local history with wider European narratives in a way that feels grounded and human.

I have been commissioned to create audio interpretation for one of Cornwall’s most significant historic religious buildings, alongside developing audio tours for towns, cities, and coastal places across the region. Accessibility and inclusivity sit at the heart of everything I do, audio tours allow people to explore independently, at their own pace, using their own devices, supporting different learning styles and access needs.

My narration is delivered in a clear English accent with a soft Cornish tone, warm, calm, and welcoming, designed to feel like walking alongside a local rather than being lectured. I write, research, and voice my tours myself, ensuring clarity, care, and authenticity from start to finish.

We don’t walk past history with audio tours, we walk through it.

Preview Location

Location 51

Conclusion: Truro Cathedral

As you walk along the side of the cathedral, on your right is the cobbled square in front of the Cathedral. Stop in front of the Cathedral.

If you are looking at the entrance of the Cathedral, take a moment to look left at the old buildings surround this square. The Assemb... As you walk along the side of the cathedral, on your right is the cobbled square in front of the Cathedral. Stop in front of the Cathedral.

If you are looking at the entrance of the Cathedral, take a moment to look left at the old buildings surround this square. The Assembly rooms, now a tattoo parlour, stand as a testament to Truro's cultural richness. Erected in 1780, these historic rooms were designed to host elegant gatherings, marking an era of refined entertainment in the city. The Assembly Rooms played a pivotal role in Truro's social scene during the late 1700's, serving as a venue for the local gentry to engage in leisurely pursuits. A theatre was also added to the complex, enhancing the cultural experience for the city's residents.

We turn our attention now to the majestic masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, graces the cityscape with its imposing presence. Truro Cathedral was constructed between 1880 and 1910, this sacred edifice holds the distinction of being the first Anglican cathedral to be built on a new site in England since the Reformation. The cathedral was designed by the renowned architect John Loughborough Pearson. Its intricate stone carvings and soaring spires evoke a sense of divine magnificence.

Its history is rooted in a time when Cornwall's growing population necessitated a grand spiritual centre. The cathedral's foundation stone was laid in 1880 by Edward White Benson, the then Bishop of Truro, and it was consecrated just 30 years later. Truro Cathedral stands as a testament to Victorian ingenuity and faith, embodying a harmonious blend of medieval craftsmanship with 19th-century innovation. Visitors are welcomed by a serene atmosphere within its sacred walls, adorned with stunning stained-glass windows and a richly adorned interior. Whether you seek spiritual solace, architectural marvels, or a glimpse into Cornwall's religious history, Truro Cathedral stands as an enduring symbol of both divine reverence and human achievement.

This marks the end of our tour together. Please feel free to go into the Cathedral but for now I will say goodbye. I'd appreciate it if you take a moment to rate the tour and leave a comment. I hope you have enjoyed our tour around Truro and I wish you all the best on your adventures. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Walsingham Place Georgian Terrace
The Old Ale House
Lemon Quay
The Drummer
Hall for Cornwall
Truro
Lander Monument
Victoria Gardens
Royal Cornwall Museum
Truro Community Library
Truro Methodist Church
Truro Cathedral
Truro War Memorial
Coinage House
Old Bridge Street

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Lemon St, Truro TR1 2QD, UK
Total distance

3km
Final location
St Mary's St, Truro TR1 2AF, UK
Distance back to start location

287.5m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour begins in the center of Truro on Lemon Quay Piazza. If you can see benches along the wall by the river and Marks and Spencer shop you are in the right place.

The closest parking to the start point is at Garras Wharf Car Park a short walk under the subway to Lemon Quay. If you're arriving by bus the main Truro station is just 3 minutes walk away from the starting point. The train station is a 15-minute walk from the starting location.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

If you would like a truly authentic Cornish experience. I suggest stopping at Rowes Bakery for a Cornish Pasty along the route. Rowes is on Victoria Square, you will see it as you leave Walsingham Place along the tour. The farmers market on Lemon Quay Piazza is a good place to peruse before setting off on our tour.

Best time of day

If you would like to enter the Cathedral and The Royal Cornwall museum the best time to do this tour is between 10am and 3.30pm Tuesday to Saturday. If you would just like to do the tour without entering landmarks I would suggest between 9am and 5pm any day.

Precautions

Please be ready for the Cornish weather you could need sunblock, or rain coats all in the same day! Make sure to stay hydrated and be careful when crossing roads.

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App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”