WHERE IS TRURO?
From M5 (south): leave the M5 at junction 31, then branch left and merge on to the A30. Stay on the A30 until you reach Carland Cross, take the 2nd exit on to the A39 for Truro. After 5 miles take the A390 signposted Truro, Falmouth, Penryn. Drop down into Truro, where there are several car parks in the City.
By Train: You can travel to Cornwall via the Rail Network. Truro train station is close to all the Citys shops, Cathedral and amenities, Truro station has a taxi rank outside the main entrance. Go to the National Rail website to plan your journey from wherever you are in the UK.
By Air: Newquay Cornwall Airport is serviced by flights from around the UK. Flybe, Ryanair, BMI Baby, Lufthansa, AirSouthWest and Skybus all operate out of Cornwall's premier Airport from most regional Airports. There are plenty of Car Hire and Taxis available at the Airport.
BRIEF HISTORY OF TRURO
Dating back to the Normans, there have been recordings of a settlement in the Truro area. Truro occupies a central position between the north and south Cornish coasts. This and its location at the convergence of the Kenwyn and Allen rivers, means the City has always held a strategic position in the county. In more recent times, Its good road and rail links put it within easy reach of almost every part of Cornwall.
In the 12th Century a castle was built by Richard de Luci the Chief Justice of England and the town began to grow around the castle, and as Truro grew so a market also began to develop.
By the early 1300s’ Truro was beginning to earn a reputation as a wool producing town and later in the century as a growing port with exporting of tin and a developing fishing industry. Many people left the town in the late 14th century, when the Black Death arrived in the area. In 1589 the government of the day helped revitalise the area and Truro began to prosper again. In 1642 Cornwall backed the King in the Civil War and supplied a number of men in the fight against the Parliamentarians.
During the next two centuries Truro benefited from high tin prices and improved mining methods. The mine owners became rich and started to move into the area building Georgian and Victorian townhouses at the same time. There is no better example of these properties than those seen today on Lemon Street, the street being named after the mining magnate and local MP Sir William Lemon.
Trains from London Paddington began in 1867 but the journey was slow and could take up to twelve hours. However it meant that tourists started to create a new industry for the town. In 1877 Queen Victoria granted Truro city status. The foundation stone of Truro Cathedral was laid in 1880 by Prince Edward (later Edward VII) and took 30 years to build. The cathedral was designed by John Loughborough Pearson.
Today Truro is the centre of administration and business in Cornwall. One of the largest shopping areas in the county and Hall for Conrwall has a variety of entertainment throughout the year. Truro City FC have enjoyed several promotions in the last few years and made an historic trip to the new Wembley Stadium in 2007 and won the FA Vase becoming the first Cornish side ever to win the trophy. In season 2009.10 they will play in the Southern League premier division, one step away from the Conference league.