Wednesday 15 June 2016

Hus Loves: Truro

Truro is an intimate city, and the commercial heart of Cornwall. It is an area we know well, so read on for The Hus guide to living in Truro.

The city boundaries have extended in recent years but despite this increase in size, this is still Cornwall’s city in the country.



Just a few minutes’ drive from the town centre will find you in the heart of the countryside or at the waterside park at Boscawen. A number of beaches are also within easy reach, from Loe Beach for sailing, or to Porthtowan and Perranporth for surfing.

If you’re looking to move here, this cathedral city has all the amenities you need. Waitrose is coming to Truro for 2016 and there are a number of other large supermarkets. There is a good choice of primary and secondary schools, and some 600 independent shops, restaurants and traders keep the city vibrant.

The heart of Truro is busy with national, local and independent retailers and businesses so there is always something new to discover.



The Park & Ride service has eased congestion and the city has enthusiastically embraced café culture! There are more than a dozen independent coffee shops, and most champion the Cornish brand Origin.

The city celebrates the growing interest in international cuisine with a twice yearly Street Food Festival. And outside of this event, there are a selection of places to eat that cater for every taste, budget and time of day.

What to do?
Waterstones bookshop, the Truro Arts Café, Truro library and cathedral all offer a variety of free and paid for events. National tours visit the Hall for Cornwall and the independent Plaza cinema sits at the bottom of Lemon Street (right opposite the Hus office!).

Enterprise Boats sails to Falmouth or to St Mawes. And from cricket to football via squash and distance running, the local sports clubs are both well attended and supported.

Where to eat?
Midtown Deli, Blend 71 and 108 Coffee for breakfasts, coffees and lunches. Saffron and the Falmouth Seafood Café for local and seasonal food and The Old Grammar School for tapas (and cocktails!). 

We like Mannings or Bustophers for a chic menu and strong wine list and The Thomas Daniell or The Heron (at Malpas) for exceptionally good pub grub. We are huge fans of the Kraftworks Mexican street food shack, and Hubspot for top-notch burgers.

And shop?
Alongside the more recognisable retail names are some independent and unique businesses. The Cornish Food Box has a shop and café in town and delivers groceries, food boxes and hampers across the county. For interiors try Illustrated Living or Camellia and for cards and quirky gifts we like Inhabit and Uneeqa.



For more gifts and interior ideas check out The Clementine or The Bay Tree – it is well worth a browse around town if you’re on the look out for something a little different. If you are furnishing a new home, Cotton Mills stocks a range of fabrics and as well as a design service curtains and blinds can be made to measure. 

Truro has no shortage of clothes stores and we love The Little Boutique, Plum, Benetton and Magpie & Fox.

Anything else?
From grooming ourselves to grooming our dogs, Truro has it covered – and everything else in between! We love the Great Escape, Mamouchi and Number 3 for ourselves. And the hounds certainly look better for a trip to Barking & Butch! 

Archie Browns and Hendra Stores stock an enticing range of health foods and ingredients, ethical skincare and supplements and remedies and try Walsingham Place for alternative therapies.

Travel and connections
Truro is a 5-hour high speed train connection to London, or a 40 minute flight to Gatwick. Newquay Airport is continually extending the domestic and international destinations it flies to and airports at Exeter and Bristol are in easy reach, as is the international ferryport at Plymouth.

What we love
Truro has a well deserved reputation as being a lovely place to raise a family. Our great little city has retained its charm, despite the recent dramatic growth, and is a frequent listing in the various ‘best in the UK’ polls. 



There is no substitute for being able to hit the beach within a half hour of finishing work and the choice of quality schools is exceptional, both at primary and secondary level. Whether you live here or work here - or both - there is lots to love about our great little city!

Find out what properties are on the market in Truro here