Truro Cathedral

Truro Cathedral is a commanding presence in the heart of Cornwall’s only city, its three spires rising above the surrounding rooftops as the tallest structure in the county. Completed in 1910 after thirty years of construction, it was the first Anglican cathedral to be built on a new site in England since Salisbury in the thirteenth century.

Designed by architect John Loughborough Pearson in the Early English Gothic style, the cathedral is built from Cornish granite and Bath stone. The interior features soaring vaulted ceilings, fine stained glass windows including work by Clayton and Bell, and intricate stone carvings throughout the nave and choir. The Father Willis organ, installed during the original construction, remains one of the finest cathedral organs in the country and is central to the cathedral’s strong choral and musical tradition.

A small section of the earlier sixteenth-century parish church of St Mary the Virgin is incorporated into the south aisle, preserving a link to the site’s longer religious history. Visitors can explore the cathedral freely, attend services, or join a guided tour to learn about the architecture and history in greater depth. The cathedral also hosts concerts, exhibitions and community events throughout the year, and its central location makes it a natural starting point for exploring Truro.