Things to do in Truro
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Truro Cathedral
Built on the site of a 16th-century parish church in soaring Gothic Revival style, Truro Cathedral was finally completed in 1910, making it the first new cathedral in England since London's St Paul's. It contains a soaring high-vaulted nave, some fine Victorian stained glass and the impressive Father Willis Organ.
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Georgian Mansions
While the lucrative shipping trade moved to Falmouth, Truro turned its attentions to mining and manufacturing, and the town enjoyed a huge financial boom after the arrival of the railway in 1859. Fine Georgian mansions and grand town houses sprang up to accommodate Truro's industrial magnates; the finest examples can be seen along Falmouth Rd, Strangways Tce, Walsingham Pl and Lemon St.
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Old Ale House
The pick of Truro's pubs, and a welcome change if you're getting sick of minimalist décor and designer cocktails. Here it's all burnished wood and beer mats; a selection of daily ales are chalked up behind the bar, and there's often a jazz troupe at weekends.
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Saffron
It's been around for ages, but this titchy restaurant tucked down a Truro side-street still packs an impressive culinary punch. It's strong on seasonal Cornish produce served with a Mediterranean twist: spider-crab served bisque-style, pollock dished up with saffron mash, mutton with turnip dauphinoise.
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Lemon Quay & Back Quay
Until the 18th century Truro was a busy port, but suffered a serious setback when the river became clogged by silt. These days Truro's old quays exist only in name, including Lemon Quay and Back Quay, both near the Hall for Cornwall.
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Tabb's
Lilac walls, leather chairs and slate floors create a slightly stuffy atmosphere, but there's no arguing with the food - Cornish meats, hand-baked bread and local seafood all feature, and the owner's renowned for his petits fours.
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Xen Noodle Bar
Ditch the Chinese dragons and paper lanterns - this resolutely modern noodle bar brings the Oriental experience bang up-to-date, with a menu of Szechuan, Hong Kong and Canton flavours as well as Chinese classics.
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Indaba Fish
The chef here used to work for Rick Stein, and this swish fish emporium has a similar emphasis on classic, straightforward seafood, ranging from Falmouth oysters and Newlyn lobster to sea bream with garlic mash. Vegetarians and fish-phobes are catered for, too.
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Royal Cornwall Museum
The county's main repository for all things industrial and archaeological, with an eclectic collection taking in everything from geological specimens to Celtic torques and a ceremonial carriage. Upstairs there's a small Egyptian section and a little gallery with some surprising finds: a Turner here, a van Dyck there, and several works by Stanhope Forbes.
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L2
Truro's biggest nightclub, with five themed nights including the popular Tranz@ction club night on Friday. Things get notoriously rowdy at kicking-out time.
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Kasbah
Shades of Morocco hang heavy over this perennially popular wine bar, which is always stuffed with 30-something boozers and runs a late-licence on weekends.
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Lemon St Market
All the main high street chains are dotted along Boscawen St and Pydar St, but more intriguing shops and craft sellers are found around Lemon St Market .
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Heron
Two miles from the city along the river estuary, this creekside pub serves good beer and excellent grub, with outside benches where you sup your pint.
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Lemon St Gallery
Across the street from the Lemon St Market, the Lemon St Gallery often hosts high-profile exhibitions by local artists.
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Waterstone's
Large chain bookshop selling travel guides, fiction and general-interest titles.
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Vertigo
The pick of the bars around St Mary's St, worth a look for its quirky decor and delightful walled garden.
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Trelissick Gardens
At the head of the Fal estuary, 4 miles south of Truro, Trelissick is one of Cornwall's most beautiful estates, with a formal garden filled with magnolias and hydrangeas, and a huge expanse of fields and parkland criss-crossed by walking trails.
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Old Grammar School
Open-plan drinking den with big tables and soft sofas to sink into. Lunch is served from noon to 3pm; later it's cocktails, candles and imported Belgian and Japanese beers.
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Old Ale House
What a relief – a city-centre pub that eschews chrome 'n' cocktails and sticks with burnished wood 'n' beer mats. The daily ales are chalked up behind the bar and there's often live jazz at weekends.
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Lemon St Market
This lively covered market houses some interesting craft shops, cafes, delicatessens and an upstairs art gallery. The willow-and-paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling were built for Truro's annual Christmas street parade, the City of Lights, held in early December.
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Heron
Two miles along the river estuary from Truro, this Malpas pub is an idyllic place for a riverside pint.
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