Great accessible UK weekend breaks: Truro
19th February 2018
Truro is the UK’s most southerly city and the Cornish county town boasts impressive architecture, culture and shopping to its visitors.
There are lots of attractions and activities to visit and people who have mobility problems and need home stairlifts can enjoy the accessibility of this old market town and port.
Truro’s heritage dates back more than 800 years ago and it became a booming town during the tin mining era as it sits at the head of a navigable stretch of the River Fal.
Find out about this accessible city by reading our guide below.
Best accessible attractions to visit
There are lots of attractions to visit in Truro and here are some of the most accessible attractions visitors just can’t miss.
Truro Cathedral
Truro Cathedral is a must-visit attraction and being located in the centre of the city it is easily accessible to visitors.
With its three spires, the cathedral dominates the skyline and it is one of the most iconic buildings in the whole of Cornwall. The cathedral is also one of the most visited attractions in the county with more than 200,000 visitors coming to look at its stained glass windows and gothic revival architecture. It is also one of the three cathedrals in the UK with three spires.
The cathedral was completed in 1910 and now visitors can take advantage of free guided tours and even enjoy food and drink from the restaurant and coffee shop.
Despite its age, the cathedral is very accessible to people with mobility problems as there are ramps allowing access to the majority of the cathedral and accessible toilets available in the restaurant.
Royal Cornwall Museum
Curator Michael is ecstatic that the new touchscreens are up & running. Do come in and learn more about our art collection! #behindthescenes #RIC200 #Museums #cornwall #art pic.twitter.com/H0fa6i9vSF
— RoyalCornwallMuseum (@Cornwall_Museum) February 17, 2018
For people looking to learn about the rich history of the county, then visitors need to head to The Royal Cornwall Museum, which was founded in 1818.
The museum shares information on Cornwall’s relationship with the wider world and it is the only museum in the county that boasts British Museum supported exhibitions. These include Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian displays as well as art, rare ceramics and a world-famous mineral collection.
The museum is easily accessible with ramps and lifts allowing older people and others with mobility problems to access all different parts of the museum.
Truro Farmer’s Market
Shopping in Truro is another great attraction for many of the city’s visitors with big name brands and independent retailers lining the cobbled streets and main high street.
One of the best shopping spots for locals and visitors alike is the Truro Farmer’s Market as it is based in the centre of the city on Lemon Quay.
The market was first formed in 1999 and now the weekly event offers visitors the chance to see bright blooms and taste plump fruit and vegetables, famous local cheeses and meat that’s been reared on Cornish pastures.
People can talk to the farmers and producers about their products, sample the foods and just enjoy the atmosphere of this special market.
Best restaurants in Truro
The Punchbowl & Ladle
The Punchbowl and Ladle is an extremely old, thatched traditional pub that is believed to date back as far as the 15th Century.
Visitors to the pub can expect a warm Cornish welcome that has two bars serving a selection of real ales from the West Country’s leading brewers and a large dining area where you can try traditional roast and other delicious foods.
Talking about the pub’s accessibility, Graham Hill, who is the landlord, says, “We have access to most areas, including the restaurant, for wheelchair or other Mobility Aid users. A Disabled toilet is also provided.
“There is a comprehensive menu, with daily specials, where everything (including the Bread and Ice Creams) is made on the premises by our chefs.”
Norway Inn
The Norway Inn is just outside of Truro, but the short-drive will all be worth it as it has a great reputation for good food and its carvery is award-winning.
Fresh, local seasonal ingredients are used and as much meat, fish and vegetables are used from the local area by head chef Tom Milby. The restaurants special board changes regularly to ensure there is plenty of variety for all new and regular customers. Food is served throughout the day and the food ranges from traditional pub grub to more contemporary dishes.
The pub is accessible to those with mobility problems and there is even accommodation available to visitors who would like to stay just outside the city centre.
The Rising Sun Truro
The perfect way to finish off Sunday roast ... Rhubarb & Custard Mille Feuille #notbadforapub #pubfood pic.twitter.com/ow9HETgq91
— the rising sun truro (@therisertruro) February 18, 2018
The Rising Sun in Truro is set on Mitchell Hill, a medieval route from the city of Truro to the east, in the quiet historical quarter.
The accessible pub is surrounded by charming lanes and has incredible views of the cathedral and diners will be able to enjoy some great local produce.
The superb food showcases local, seasonal produce and the pub works in a flexible way so that dishes and menus change regularly to coincide with seasonal foods and the best quality Cornwall has to offer. There are bespoke set menus on offer to diners for special occasions as well.
Best accessible tours to go on
Take a scenic train ride
To get some glorious views of the local area and to enjoy a nice day trip outside of Truro visitors should consider going on the Maritime Line with Great Scenic Railways.
This route links Truro with the picturesque harbour port of Falmouth and allows visitors to explore Falmouth and its maritime history.
The ride only takes 25 minutes and along the way visitors can also get off and explore the likes of Perranwell, Penryn and Penmere en-route to Falmouth.
Travellers with mobility problems do not need to worry about the accessibility of the trains as the operators carry wheelchair ramps on board their trains and at the station. On-train staff can also help wheelchair users, those with mobility scooters and other travellers who struggle to walk on board.
Delve into your favourite TV series with a Poldark tour
Tour Cornwall offer a full-day Poldark tour and visitors that are a fan of the hit TV show are recommended to go on it.
Guests will get picked up from their accommodation and during the day will get to explore Truro, Charlestown, Minions, St Breward and Porthcothan.
In Truro the accessible tour will take visitors to the streets of Truro that are vividly described in the books and shown on the programme. Charlestown is dressed up as Truro harbour and this Georgian Clay port is often home to a tall ship which adds to atmosphere. Minions is located on the Cornish moors and is often the setting for the many horse riding scenes in Poldark.
Visitors can then enjoy a spectacular drive across the moors to see Ross and Demelza’s ‘Nampara’ farm house as well as some of the workers cottages before heading to Porthcothan, which is where a lot of the coastline shots are filmed.
Take a tour with Skinner's Brewery tours
Goes well with games, or with sausages, or under the Christmas tree https://t.co/mnogQAu2Ai pic.twitter.com/FOF4F2pUxi
— Skinners Brewery (@Skinnersbrewery) December 19, 2017
For visitors that would like to taste award-winning cask-conditioned ales from Cornwall, then a tour around the Skinner’s Brewery should be high on the bucket list.
The working brewery runs tours for groups and individuals and each of their ales are named after Cornish folklore. Their guided tours allow visitors to try a drop of their different ales, learn about the history of Skinner’s Brewery and even discover the secrets of their success.
The tours will also allow people to see behind the scenes and learn about the art of beer tasting in the brewery’s tap room.
The brewery is just a short, flat walk from Truro city centre and daily tours start at 2.30pm Monday to Friday all-year round.
Other activities
Watch a show at the Hall for Cornwall
The Hall for Cornwall is located in the heart of Truro and is the largest performance venue in the county with around 180,000 people coming to watch a variety of shows every year.
The aim of the Hall for Cornwall is to put a world of arts on Cornwall’s stage and make the county and Truro a key destination for people to visit.
The venue is renowned for its great accessibility with 7 wheelchair spaces available within the theatre, accessible toilets, guide and hearing dogs welcomed and lifts available to upper levels and the restaurant.
The venue attracts a whole host of performers; from comedians like Bill Bailey to acts such as the English Touring Opera.
Enjoy some contemporary art at Lemon Street Gallery
Lemon Street Gallery is regarded as one of the country’s leading contemporary galleries and over its 16 years the gallery, which is located right in the centre of Truro, has become a hugely popular place to visit.
The gallery features a range of up and coming and established British artists and every year there is a calendar of solo and group exhibitions on offer to visitors.
Although there are some steps to get into the entrance of the gallery, the venue is accessible with wide walkways and seats on offer to people with mobility problems.
Image Credit: Derek Winterburn, Jason Bowler, Reading Tom.
This news article is from Handicare UK. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only and are up to date as of the time of publishing
