Find accessible places to stay, eat, visit and explore
INSIDE THIS FREE GUIDE
MAP: Plan your visit
DISCOVER: Places to eat, shop and explore
ENJOY: Theatre, art and music
PLUS: Accessible toilets and parking around the city
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The funding was allocated through Cornwall Council’s Town Regeneration and Investment Programme, which is part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. The project was match-funded by Truro City Council.
Truro is a city I am deeply proud of — a place shaped by history, creativity and a strong sense of community. But as much as our cobbled streets and heritage buildings give Truro its unique charm, they also create real challenges for many disabled people and those with mobility needs. Acknowledging that honesty is essential if we are to make our city more inclusive, and this honesty has been at the heart of the Access Truro project from the very beginning.
Over the past months, I have seen firsthand the effort, commitment and goodwill that have gone into this work. The Experience Truro Differently Days were particularly eye-opening. Navigating the city using wheelchairs, mobility aids and visual impairment goggles brought home both the small improvements that make a big difference and the barriers that still make everyday journeys difficult. It was a humbling reminder that accessibility is not an abstract concept — it is about people’s real experiences, independence and sense of belonging.
Alongside this, organisations across the city have taken part in free accessibility training, volunteers have shared their lived
experience, and the team from Access Cornwall has worked hard to listen, gather information and build a clearer picture of what supports inclusion. New ramps at key points, as well as careful checks on accessibility information for our shops, cafés, cultural venues and public spaces, reflect a shared determination to make meaningful progress.
This guide brings all of that work together. It not only highlights what is already accessible but also provides practical, detailed information to help people plan their visit with confidence. For residents, workers and visitors alike, it offers reassurance, clarity and a sense of welcome. Most importantly, it helps us recognise where further improvements are needed — and how we can continue building a Truro that works for everyone.
My sincere thanks go to everyone involved. Together, we can ensure our city becomes ever more accessible, inclusive and supportive for all who spend time here.
— Councillor Chris Wells, Mayor of Truro
FROM LEFT: Attendees at the Experience Truro Differently Day: Alun Jones, Truro BID Manager; Access Cornwall reviewer, Access Cornwall volunteer, Leanne Grose, COO Cornwall Mobility; Lionel Knight, Truro Town Crier; Cllr Steven Webb; Truro's Mayor Cllr Chris Wells; Andrew Archer, Associate, Strategic Transport, CORMAC; Helen Martin, Director, Access Cornwall; Neil Edmond, CEO Corserv; Jodie Strick, iSIght Cornwall; Viki Carpenter, Director, Access Cornwall; Alex Raworth, Cornwall Mobility.
FROM LEFT: Attendees at the Experience Truro Differently Day: Leanne Grose, COO Cornwall Mobility; Alex Raworth, Cornwall Mobility; Viki Carpenter, Director, Access Cornwall;Access Cornwall volunteer; Cllr Steven Webb; Miriam Binsztok, Transport Coordination Service Manager; Access Cornwall volunteer, Jodie Strick, iSIght Cornwall; Helen Martin, Director, Access Cornwall; Access Cornwall reviewer; Lesley Barlow, Strategic Service Specialist at Cornwall Council; Dawn, Access Cornwall volunteer; Rebecca Riley, Head of Connectivity and Transport Policy Cornwall Council; Viv Bidgood, Highways Manager, Cornwall Council.
The Access Cornwall team with decision makers at an Experience Truro Differently event.
Truro Town Crier Lionel Knight with Access Cornwall volunteer Holly Martin.
KEY TO SYMBOLS
Accessible trails
Assistance dogs
Autism aware
Café
Carers go free
Changing places
Hearing impaired aware
Dementia aware
Accessible parking
Accessible toilet
Hearing loop
Max card
Public transport
Relaxed sessions
Restaurant
Sensory map
Social/Visual story
Trained staff
Visually impaired aware/ Braille guide
Wheelchair access
How to use this guide
Thank you for using our Accessible Guide to Truro.
We’re here to help you find inspiration and ideas for places to eat, stay and explore that suit your accessibility needs.
To help you find things near to you, or in an area of Cornwall you might like to visit, we have organised the guide in these sections: Things to do, Places to eat, Shops and Services. There is also information about accessible toilets around Truro, public transport links and also helpful organisations and resources.
We’ve also included a map with all the places listed, marked by name and number, so you can find them all around the city.
Each location listed features a set of icons indicating key accessibility features, including whether a place has wheelchair access, accessible toilets and parking, support for people with sight or hearing loss and more. See the Key to Symbols above.
We’ve made every effort to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. However, please note that places may change or close unexpectedly.
Always check opening hours before your visit—especially in the winter months—and keep an eye out for weekend events, which you may want to attend (or avoid!).
We hope this guide helps you to enjoy some new adventures and please do let us know of any great places you would like us to include in future issues by emailing us at hello@accesscornwall.org.uk.
1. Fodders Espresso Bar, (Pannier Market, Back Quay, TR1 2LL)
2. Rowe's Bakers (22 Victoria Square, TR1 2SD)
3. Rowe's Bakers (21 Back Quay, TR1 2LL)
4. Rusty’s Barber Shop (11 Pydar St, TR1 2AX)
5. Sambells Café (Truro Methodist Church, Union Place, TR1 1EP)
6. Three Rivers Café (8 Quay St, TR1 2HD)
Pydar House (Pydar Street, TR1 1XU)
Things to Do
1. Truro Cathedral (TR1 2AF)
2. Cornwall Museum and Art gallery (25 River St, TR1 2SJ)
In the heart of the city, Truro Cathedral provides an enriching visitor experience through worship, music, events, art exhibitions and learning. All but St Mary’s aisle is wheelchair accessible. Hearing loops and Large print service orders available, plus an accessible toilet. Wheelchair access is via a ramp to the left of the building.
Ramp for the Cathedral
Truro Cathedral
Things To Do
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, 25 River St, Truro, TR1 2SJ enquiries@cornwallmuseum.org
Tel: 01872 723230
An affordable, educational day out for all the family. From gorgeous works of art to fascinating historical artifacts, including a real Ancient Egyptian mummy. You won’t want to miss exploring all that this museum has to offer, and with all their accessibility accommodations, you won’t have to. Full accessibility guide on the website.
Access Cornwall reviewer
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
The Trewinnard Coach
Hall for Cornwall:
World-Class Theatre with a Cornish Heart
In the heart of Truro stands Hall for Cornwall (HfC), Cornwall’s only large-scale theatre for audiences to discover all the arts can be. HfC is focused on providing audiences with stand-out experiences every time they connect with the building. With a diverse programme covering a range of performance types from music and theatre to comedy and dance, the venue hosts over 100 productions each year.
Each year, the venue welcomes hundreds of thousands of people through its doors every year to experience spectacular productions, from West End sensations like SIX, MAMMA MIA! and The Rocky Horror Show, to celebrated performances from leading companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Rambert, The National and Motionhouse. HfC has also hosted charttopping artists, touring musicals, and awardwinning plays, firmly placing Truro in the South West’s cultural landscape.
Hall for Cornwall Auditorium from Stage, Credit: Tyne and Wear
Behind the auditorium that is the Cornwall Playhouse, HfC flies many banners of community spirit and local pride, from their community outreach programme, Get Creative, to their artists and creatives programme, Husa. HfC is committed to making the world of theatre and beyond accessible to everyone, both practically and innovatively.
The charity is supported by a passionate team of local staff and volunteers, all friendly faces who help audiences feel welcome, assist with access needs, and bring the warmth of Cornish hospitality to every visit.
Accessibility is at the heart of the venue’s design. Situated close to accessible parking at Lemon Quay, Garras Wharf and Boscawen
Park, the venue offers step-free access to the ground floor and lift access to all levels. Assistance dogs are welcome. There are dedicated wheelchair spaces in the auditorium, accessible toilets on every floor, and a Space to Change facility. The venue also offers a range of services for anyone who might need extra support, from assisted listening devices to sensory aids to quiet breakout spaces. They also offer a range of access performances, including captioned, BSL interpreted, and audio-described.
For the latest accessibility details, visit their dedicated Accessibility page: hallforcornwall.co.uk/accessibility.
Find out more:
Email: boxoffice@hallforcornwall.org.uk
Phone: 01872 262466 (Mon–Sat, 1pm–5pm)
Website: hallforcornwall.co.uk
Hall for Cornwall, Building Exterior. Credit: Hugh Hastings Jason Donovan performing at the Hall for Cornwall
Hall for Cornwall Auditorium. Credit: French Tye
Things To Do
Hall for Cornwall, Back Quay, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LL boxoffice@hallforcornwall.org.uk
Tel: 01872 262466
The Hall for Cornwall (HfC) is a theatre in the heart of Truro working hard to be open to everyone in Cornwall. HfC is situated close to accessible parking in Lemon Quay, Garras Wharf and Boscawen Street. It features step-free access to its ground floor, with eleven bookable wheelchair positions, and has accessible performances available to book for a selection of shows, including BSL interpreted, audio-described and captioned. The theatre has accessible toilets on all levels and also has a Space to Change bathroom on the ground floor. There’s a dedicated accessibility page on their website with the most up to date information.
Plaza Cinema, 69 Lemon Street, Truro, TR1 2PN wtwcinemas.co.uk/truro/whats-on/
Tel: 01872 272894
Sit back in comfort in this cinema to watch anything from repeats of beloved classics to the latest blockbusters. There are hearing / visually impaired and autism friendly screenings as well as providing some wheelchair access to all screens. Carers go free but you must apply for a CEA card at www.ceacard.co.uk. This costs £6 but is valid for a year. Proof of application is all that's needed for your first booking.
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery: Celebrating Cornwall’s Culture and Creativity
On River Street in the centre of Truro stands the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery — a place where Cornwall’s unique history, art and heritage come together under one roof. Formerly known as the Royal Cornwall Museum, this much-loved venue has evolved to reflect the breadth and vibrancy of its collections, with a renewed focus on showcasing Cornish creativity alongside global stories.
The museum is home to some of Cornwall’s most important historical treasures, from internationally renowned mineral collections to ancient Egyptian artefacts, Bronze Age finds and objects that trace the county’s
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery ancient civilisations gallery
Interactive display at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery Iset Tayef Nakht
global maritime and mining heritage. But just as importantly, it has become a hub for the visual arts, with a rich and growing programme of exhibitions from celebrated artists, both local and national.
Recent exhibitions have included acclaimed works by Barbara Hepworth, Kurt Jackson, and contemporary Cornish artists exploring themes of identity, landscape and climate. The gallery also hosts touring shows from major institutions, providing opportunities for people in Cornwall to experience highcalibre art without leaving the county.
As a registered charity, Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is supported by a dedicated network of local volunteers who help bring the collections and exhibitions to life. From welcoming visitors at the door to sharing
Find out more:
their passion for Cornwall’s history and art, these volunteers are at the heart of the museum’s community spirit.
Accessibility is a key part of the venue’s mission. Located on River Street in Truro, the museum offers step-free access at the main entrance and lift access to all public areas. There are accessible toilets, including a Space to Change facility, and many exhibits include visual aids, audio interpretation and easy-read resources. The museum also hosts Relaxed Sessions and accessible events designed to support neurodivergent visitors and those who prefer a calmer environment. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout..
For the latest accessibility information, visit cornwallmuseum.org.uk/access
Email: enquiries@cornwallmuseum.org.uk
Phone: 01872 272205
Website: cornwallmuseum.org.uk
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery Shabti Egyptian Funeral Figurine
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery Egyptian Decorative Scarab Beetle
Safe Spaces in Truro: A Welcoming Haven for
Anyone Who Needs Support
Safe Spaces are welcoming places in our community where someone who is feeling anxious, overwhelmed or at risk can go to feel safe and ask for help. The Safe Spaces (or Safe Places) initiative is a UK-wide scheme designed to support people who may be vulnerable, including those with learning disabilities, autism, or other additional needs.
When someone visits a Safe Space, trained staff offer reassurance and a calm environment. If needed, they can help contact a trusted person, support services, or the police. In Cornwall, Safe Places are easy to spot thanks to the official sticker displayed in the window.
Truro is proud to have a growing network of Safe Spaces, where kindness and support are at the heart of the welcome. Current participating venues include:
• Fodders Espresso Bar
• Hall for Cornwall
• Pydar House
• Rowe's Bakers Truro / Victoria Square
• Rowe's Cornish Bakers Truro / Back Quay
• Rusty’s Barber Shop
• Sambells Café
• Three Rivers Café
• Truro Community Library
These venues have committed to offering a safe and friendly environment for anyone who needs a moment of security or practical help.
For organisations in Truro interested in joining this important initiative, CLEAR Emotional Trauma Therapy offers training and support to help you become a Safe Space. Their training covers safeguarding, bystander intervention, creating a welcoming environment, and signposting to further support.
By becoming a Safe Space, your organisation helps make Truro a more inclusive, compassionate and accessible city for everyone.
Learn more at clearsupport.net
Safe Spaces
Fodders Espresso Bar, Pannier Market, Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL
Sambells Café, Truro Methodist Church, Union Place, Truro, TR1 1EP
Fodders is a friendly café offering coffee and cakes, sandwiches and baked potatoes. This is a Safe Space with friendly, supportive staff just off Tinner's Court in the heart of Truro
Rowe's Bakers, 22 Victoria Square, Truro, TR1 2SD
Rowe’s on Victoria Square is a registered Safe Space and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Do be aware there is a step into this Rowe’s.
Rowe's Bakers, 21 Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL
Rowe’s Bakery on Back Quay is near to the bus station and the Changing Places toilet in Cornwall. It is a registered Safe Space and the staff are friendly and welcoming. There is a café area and good level access.
Rusty’s Barber Shop, 11 Pydar St, Truro, TR1 2AX
Rusty’s is a lovely barbers shop in Truro, registered as a Safe Space and offering a warm and friendly welcome. Rusty's has a ramp to access the shop, thanks to the Access Truro project.
Sambells is a small Café situated in the front of Truro Methodist church. It is run by volunteers and you can enjoy locally sourced tea, coffee, cakes and light refreshments.
This is a registered Safe Space and it has a warm, comfortable atmosphere and a friendly welcome.
Three Rivers Café, 8 Quay St, Truro, TR1 2HD
The Three Rivers café is a registered Safe Space and a good old fashioned diner style restaurant where you can enjoy good, affordable food, including their famous All Day Breakfast. Very close to the bus station and the Changing Places toilet. There is a step to get inside but a ramp is available thanks to the Access Truro project.
Truro Community Library, Union Place, Truro, TR1 1EP
Truro’s Community Library at Union Place is a registered Safe Space. There is lift access to all floors, automatic electric doors and step free access.
Safe Spaces
Hall for Cornwall, Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL
The Hall for Cornwall (HfC) is a theatre in the heart of Truro working hard to be open to everyone in Cornwall.
It is a registered Safe Space.
HfC is situated close to accessible parking in Lemon Quay, Garras Wharf and Boscawen Street. It features step-free access to its ground floor, with eleven bookable wheelchair positions, and has accessible performances available to book for a selection of shows, including BSL interpreted, audio-described and captioned. The theatre has accessible toilets on all levels and also has a Space to Change bathroom on the ground floor. There’s a dedicated accessibility page on their website with the most up to date information.
Pydar House, Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 1XU
Pydar House is where you will find the Coroner’s Office and Administration Office which is part of Cornwall Council. This is a registered Safe Space in the city.There is level access at the rear of the building and some accessible parking, but there is a slope to get to the accessible entrance if you cannot park close to the building.
Good value meals and drinks, on Lemon Quay in the centre of the city. Most of the dining area is level access with only a small area accessed by stairs in the back. For those with food allergies or nutrition needs there’s an online display with full information about the food. There is an accessible toilet and all staff have training to support disabled customers.
Truro Lounge, 12 Princes St, Truro, TR1 2ES
A relaxed space with good food and welcoming atmosphere. Close to the bus station so not far to walk if traveling via bus. Good wheelchair access downstairs but no access to upstairs. Dog-friendly.
Enjoy some of Truro’s best pastries in this popular bakery on Boscawen Street with a welcoming atmosphere and staff. Good wheelchair access, an accessible toilet and dog friendly.
Arts Café, River Street, Truro, TR1 2SJ
This inviting café serves the Cornwall Museum & the accessible area opens into the creative wonderland that is the Truro Arts Company. Enjoy cakes and healthy meals with good allergen information. The café has a lower area with wheelchair access and it is dog-friendly. There is an accessible toilet available in the Cornwall Museum section of the café, which wheelchair users or those who cannot manage stairs must go outside to access if they are in the downstairs part of the café.
Cornish Bakery
Hooked
Places to Eat
Hooked, Tabernacle Street, Truro, TR1 2EJ
Great seafood with a nice cozy atmosphere. Good wheelchair access and welcoming staff. Well behaved dogs welcome but must specify in booking.
Mocking Bird, 3 Nalders Court, Truro, TR1 2XH
A cosy and welcoming mimosa lounge in the middle of Truro, with excellent cocktails and a great buzzy atmosphere. Level inside with good wheelchair access. Dogs allowed with outside seating.
Coffee Traders, 9 Victoria Square, Truro, TR1 2RU
Coffee Traders, on Victoria Square was recommended by several individuals who are disabled because of the incredibly friendly and helpful staff, the wide aisles and the wheelchair accessible seating. Enjoy all day breakfasts, paninis and a warm welcome.
The Green Room Café, Hall for Cornwall, Back Quay, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LL
Enjoy soup, sandwiches, coffee and cake and a range of drinks from 10am to 4pm Mon to Sat at the Hall for Cornwall v on Back Quay. There is an accessible toilet and good level access throughout.
Mocking Bird
Arts Café
Arts Café
Truro Cathedral: The Beautiful Beating Heart of the City
Truro Cathedral is quite literally the defining landmark of the city. Built in the heart of Truro between 1880 and 1910, its presence qualifies Truro a city instead of a town, and the spires make the skyline instantly recognisable. The cathedral is of course still a place of worship for the local community, but the wide range of additional events and activities held in the venue ensure that this inspiring, historic building remains a strong and stable hub for the community in and around Truro.
Whether you want to view an awe-inspiring art exhibition, watch community performances, learn about the rich history of the building or just want a tranquil space to pray, Truro Cathedral is available to one and all.
Truro Cathedral
With the cathedral being such a crucial fixture of the city, it’s all the more important to consider its level of accessibility. Fortunately, we are pleased to say that, despite its historic origins and intricate architecture, Truro Cathedral does offer a good level of accessibility. There is ramped access at the entrance at High Cross. Only one area of the cathedral (St. Mary’s aisle) is not accessible to wheelchair users as ramps in appropriate places everywhere else can be requested and there is an accessible toilet on site.
Additionally, while many people forget that accessibility isn’t only about wheelchairs, Truro Cathedral does not. They have hearing loops installed and a portable one is also available. As well as this, if some struggle to read their usual service orders then they can be accessed in large print.
There are plenty of events throughout the year at Truro Cathedral, including many music services featuring the choir and orchestra, quiz nights and tours of the cathedral’s roof and towers.
For more information about Truro Cathedral go to: www.trurocathedral.org.uk
An award-winning restaurant that overlooks luscious lawns, suntrap terrace and ancient trees. Beautiful and accessible garden view rooms. A peaceful place to enjoy fantastic food and a good night's rest.
There is quite a steep slope from the car park to the main entrance but there are accessible parking spaces near the main hotel entrance and a dedicated space opposite The Courtyard entrance. Three wheelchair accessible hotel rooms (two twins and a double). Ground floor restaurant and bar with accessible toilet. Four accessible event rooms.
Right in the heart of the city, this contemporary, Grade II listed property is unique to other Truro hotels with its Georgian appeal. All rooms are bright and light and exude a certain Cornish charm. With a choice of ‘Single’, ‘Double’ or ‘City’, the tasteful rooms are completely equipped with all you need for a comfortable stay.
Whilst there are no wheelchair accessible hotel rooms, there is one apartment that is fully wheelchair adapted. There are three steps down from restaurant to bar area. There is a portable ramp to get into the building but you have to request it.
Mannings exterior
Mannings room
The Alverton Hotel garden view
iSight Cornwall: Supporting those with sight loss in Cornwall
iSight Cornwall is another fantastic charity based in Truro and serves as Cornwall’s local sight loss charity, providing advice and practical support to blind and partially sighted people across the county.
Their Sight Centre Shop in Newham Road, Truro is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
Inside you will find a range of different gadgets and aids which have all been designed to help blind and partially sighted people to stay independent.
From large print calendars and talking book players to symbol canes and kitchen equipment including the clever liquid level indicator that beeps and vibrates to let you know when your cup is full.
Find out more:
Email: info@isightcornwall.org.uk
Phone: 01872 261110
Website: www.isightcornwall.org.uk
They are also one of only four stockists in Cornwall to supply Cocoons – the fit over sunglasses that filter out glare and UV rays.
Everyone is welcome to drop into the Sight Centre to have a browse, try on Cocoons, or speak to staff about the support available in Cornwall. There is limited parking outside and the shop is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility walkers.
iSight Cornwall Sight Centre
Shops and Services
Waterstones, 11 Boscawen Street, Truro, TR1 2QU
Enjoy browsing the latest books and pop into the café in the Truro branch of Waterstones. It is set over two floors and there is a lift to the 1st floor where there is a café and an accessible toilet. The staff have regular training to support customers with additional needs and also have regular Dyslexia friendly workshops with guest speakers.
TK Maxx, 91 Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 2BD
TK Maxx needs no introduction. The Truro store offers all the great deals of fashion brands you’d expect to find. With clothing on the first floor and a lift to homeware and kids toys on the second floor you can find bargains galore in this store. The second floor also leads to the High Cross car park.
Lemon Street Market, Lemon St, Truro, TR1 2QD
There are plenty of local independent retailers situated in the market with a lift to the café and toilets upstairs. Of special interest is a hairdressers on the ground floor with level access called Lemonheads.
Lemon Street Market entrance
Lemon Street Market interior
Shops and Services
Pannier Market, Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL
Truro Pannier Market is a historic indoor market in Cornwall, housed in a Victorian building. It features a variety of local vendors. Popular with locals and tourists, it combines traditional charm with a vibrant, community-focused shopping experience in the heart of Truro.
TG Jones, a large stationery store with everything from paper, craft items, kids toys and gifts. A one stop shop for all your staionery needs! You will find the Post Office at the back of the shop.
Saltrock, 11 Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 2AX
Saltrock is a British lifestyle and surfwear brand inspired by the spirit of the sea and coastal living. Founded in Cornwall, it offers casual clothing, accessories, and surf-inspired designs for men, women, and children. Known for comfort, durability, and adventure-ready style, Saltrock reflects relaxed, outdoor, beach culture values.
M&S, Lemon Quay, Truro, TR1 2LW
This is a large M&S which hosts clothing, food court café and furniture and very good accessibility.
There is a carpark at the rear of the shop (Lemon St Car Park) which has accessible parking. M&S has lifts to navigate between the floors and a café on floor 2. Be aware if you have sensory issues around sound this can be very noisy when busy.There are two accessible toilets available and also a hearing loop at counters as well as seating for those who need to rest. All staff have disability awareness training.
Pennyworths, 5 High Cross, Truro, TR1 2AJ
Pennyworths is a local independent traditional sweet shop, offering a range of wonderful treats. The shop has step free access.
Pennyworths entrance
Shops and Services
Boots, 94 Pydar St, Truro, TR1 2BD
The leading pharmacy chain offers medicines, cosmetics, skincare, and wellness products. This Boots has good accessibility, with staff trained in disability awareness, a hearing loop and good lighting, clear aisles and level access throughout the shop and seating if you need to rest while waiting for a prescription.
Skechers, 25 Victoria Square, Truro, TR1 2SD
Skechers shoe shop is easy to navigate round with wide, uncrowded walkways and plenty of seating. Do be aware this has no arm rests or backs. Sketchers offer a wide range of comfortable shoes for a range of activities. From casual wear to running shoes and easy Hands-Free Slip-In shoes, they aim to provide you with a comfortable fit.
Taylor Cole Hair Salon, 8 Nalders Ct, Truro, TR1 2XH
Meet a friendly, professional team of hair stylists at this hair salon. There is level access and space for wheelchair users.
The White Company, 14-15 Boscawen St, Truro, TR1 2QU
The White Company is well known for its high end products. From beautiful clothing to fabulous scents, it's full of luxury. This store has a good amount of space and accessibility, with trained staff and a lift to the 2nd floor.
Superdrug, 13 Boscawen Street, Truro, TR1 2QU
Head to Superdrug for cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, toiletries, and healthcare products. The Truro store offers good level access from Boscawen Street and assistance dogs are welcome.
CLEAR for Giving, 8 Cathedral Lane, Truro, TR1 2QS
This well considered charity shop and community space in Cathedral Lane offers preloved/handcrafted items, training & events. Raising funds to help people to flourish after trauma. This shop has a ramp and has taken care not to overcrowd the space it has. Its staff and volunteers are welcoming and approachable. Their portable ramp can be loaned to other shops in Cathedral Lane.
Taylor Cole Hair Salon entrance
Cornwall Mobility
Cornwall Mobility is a charity based behind Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro that serves people of all ages across the South West who face mobility, communication or independent-living challenges.
Founded originally in 1983 from modest premises in Redruth, the charity moved to a purpose-built facility at Treliske (Truro) in 1994. Over the decades it has grown into one of the largest mobility centres in the UK, offering equipment, specialist assessments, and adaptive driving solutions.
Cornwall Mobility provides:
• A walk-in showroom where people can try out mobility aids (powered wheelchairs, scooters, manual chairs) and technologyenabled-care (TEC) products for independent living.
• Specialist assessments for seating, posture and pressure relief, as well as adapted vehicle driving and loading, both for manual and powered mobility equipment.
• A free impartial advice service via its “HUBS Project” for accessible travel, community transport, accessible venues, rights as a disabled passenger etc.
• A fully staffed workshop that can service and repair all types of mobility equipment, as well as fitting adaptations to vehicles.
• They are a Motability Scheme dealership
Whether someone is dealing with a newly acquired disability, age-related mobility loss, or exploring adapted driving, Cornwall Mobility serves as a crucial resource enabling people to maintain as much independence as possible.
Find out more:
Email: info@cornwallmobility.co.uk
Phone: 01872 672 318
Website: www.cornwallmobility.co.uk
Truro’s beautiful parks
The city is blessed with some idyllic green spaces, from the riverside gardens in Boscawen Park to the haven of Victoria Park nearer the heart of the city, and the sanctuary that is Cathedral Green, tucked between the cathedral and the river near to the main shopping streets for anyone wanting some peace in nature.
Here is a guide to the parks and their accessible features.
Boscawen Park, Malpas Rd, Truro, TR1 1SG
Head out along the river south of the city and you will find the newly renovated Boscawen Park. Here you can find beautifully planted gardens, very smooth, tarmacked pathways, a newly refurbished children’s natural play area and a café, along with tennis courts, three football pitches and a cricket pitch.
On the opposite side of the road at Trennick Mill there is a tranquil pond which also has wide, smooth tarmacked pathways edged by herbaceous borders and maintained with wildlife in mind.
Dogs on leads are welcome and can be exercised along the riverside walk which runs around the outer periphery of the park next to Truro River. There is also a specially created dog exercise area at the top end of the tennis courts.
The café in the Park is accessible and has been upgraded with sliding doors for easier entry. It features wide, level entrances and includes accessible parking nearby.
You can also find Changing Places toilets at the park.
Boscawen Park
Cathedral Green
Victoria Gardens, 13A St George's Rd, Truro, TR1 3JE
Victoria Gardens are on St George’s Road, near the heart of the city and were originally created to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. These gardens are more sloped than Boscawen Park which is mainly level. But there are good tarmacked paths throughout. The Leats, the old waterways through the city flow into the gardens next to the River Kenwyn and they run through the gardens to supply the pond which runs back down through the gardens through the old water fountain. There is also a beautiful old bandstand where you can enjoy concerts in the summer. There is an accessible toilet here and wheelchair access to the park is best via The Leats. There are no car parks very close but you can park on the road
nearby if you have a Blue Badge. Do be aware that this is a park where you will have to navigate slopes and also that the waterways have no guard barriers in place. The bandstand is accessed via steps too.
Cathedral Green, 21 Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL
Hidden away at the rear of Truro Cathedral is a small, tranquil park tucked between the towering spires and the Truro River. You can find it by following Wilkes Walk that you can access from Old Bridge Street via a path that links up with a pathway to Union Place near the Methodist Church. Good wheelchair access, seating and a quiet space if you need a few moments of peace away from the hustle and bustle of town.
Victoria Gardens
Buses and Trains in Truro
Truro is generally well served by accessible public transport, with both buses and trains offering support for people with a wide range of access needs. While Cornwall’s hilly terrain and rural routes can sometimes pose challenges, the city itself has good infrastructure, helpful staff and several tools that make travelling easier and more predictable.
Bus Services & Accessibility
The main bus services in Truro are run by Transport for Cornwall / Go Cornwall Bus, with additional smaller operators working under the countywide network. Most buses are fitted with low-floor access or ramps and include a dedicated wheelchair space. Priority seating is clearly marked, and drivers are trained to assist passengers who may need extra time or support.
For many local people, the National Concessionary Bus Pass is another valuable support, offering free off-peak travel for eligible disabled and older passengers.
Hidden Disabilities Support
Cornwall’s bus operators also recognise that not all disabilities are visible. Both Go Cornwall Bus and First Kernow provide communication cards that passengers can
show discreetly to ask for help. These can be especially useful for people who find speaking difficult, who need instructions repeated, or who feel anxious travelling alone.
Transport for Cornwall / Go Cornwall Bus offer their “Help-Me Cards”, which include requests such as “Please tell me when we reach my stop.” The best point of contact for accessibility queries across most services.
Phone: 0808 196 2632
Email: ask@gocornwallbus.co.uk
Their team can even arrange a mobilityscooter assessment if you are unsure whether your scooter will fit on the bus.
Smaller operators—including Hopleys Coaches, OTS Falmouth and Travel
Cornwall—operate under the broader Transport for Cornwall network, so accessibility queries for these services can also be directed to 0808 196 2632.
Truro Bus Station
You can also make use of our own guide, "The Accessible Guide to Train Travel in Cornwall", which offers practical advice station by station across Cornwall. See the guide at : accesscornwall.org.uk/discover-our-latest-guide-anaccessible-guide-to-train-travel-in-cornwall
Transport for Cornwall App
For people who like to know exactly when their bus is coming—or for anyone who finds waiting at a stop stressful—the Transport for Cornwall App can be a real reassurance. It allows you to:
• Track your bus in real time
• See whether there are delays
• Plan routes across all operators
• Buy tickets on your phone
For many people with anxiety, sensory needs or difficulties with unexpected changes, being able to watch the bus approaching on the screen can make a big difference.
Park and Ride Services
Truro’s two Park and Ride sites—Langarth in the west and Tregurra in the east—are both set up with accessibility in mind. Each site has Blue Badge bays close to the terminal building and accessible toilets, and staff are well known for being friendly and willing to lend a hand.
The buses themselves are accessible, although it’s worth noting that only one wheelchair can be carried at a time, and that they share the same space as pushchairs. The car parks are also on a slope, which may be challenging for some people.
Services run roughly every 15 minutes, but they can be busy at peak times.
Train Travel & Station Access
Truro Railway Station provides step-free access to both platforms, as well as rampassisted boarding onto trains. There is tactile paving, an induction loop at the ticket office, and staff available to help when needed. Travelling by train is usually straightforward, especially if you pre-book assistance through Passenger Assist, the national service that ensures help is available for boarding, alighting, navigating the station, or carrying luggage.
To book assistance via Great Western Railway call 0800 197 1329 (freephone). Or visit www.gwr.com/travel-information/ passenger-assist
Text relay: 18001 0800 197 1329.
Tips for Travellers Needing Accessibility Support
If you need assistance, it’s always helpful to book ahead for train travel and to contact bus operators if you use a larger mobility scooter or have specific communication needs.
The walk from Truro station into the city centre is quite steep, but there are regular buses from the station into the town centre.
Accessible toilets in Truro
Anyone with access needs appreciates that knowing where the accessible toilets are is the first thing needed in order to plan a visit. While several of the shops and businesses in the city do have good accessible toilets, here is a simple guide to the facilities available around Truro.
If you are visiting for the first time, it is helpful to know that you need a RADAR key for most of the accessible toilets.
To access the Changing Places toilet on Green Street.
You will need to purchase a special fob for the Changing Places facilities on Green Street near the bus stop. These are available for a £5 fee from the Visit Truro office on Boscawen Street or from Truro Library.
• You will also need to complete a form (available to download at truro.gov.uk/changing-place-toilets)
• You will also need to provide the name, address and contact details of the carer if applicable and the user
• Finally you will need to supply evidence evidence of eligibility for the higher rate Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance. The fobs are available for collection from Truro Community Library, Union Place, Truro, TR1 1EP or Truro Tourist Information Centre, 30 Boscawen Street, Truro TR1 2QQ. Both locations will have forms available if you are unable to print it. The library can only take a cash payment. Let’s hope you’re not in a hurry!
To access the Changing Places toilets in Boscawen Park,
Ask a staff member in the café for assistance -- this does mean these toilets are inaccessible when the café is closed. The opening times are 9am to 4pm seven days a week (NB: these may be extended during the summer months with fine weather)
Green Street Toilets, Green Street, Truro, TR1 2LH
Right next to the bus station and Lemon Quay in Truro. There is a Changing Places toilet here but be aware that the door is very heavy to open and some wheelchair users say they struggle to use the facility independently
Boscawen Park, Tennis Pavilion (Café In The Park), Boscawen Park, Malpas Road, Truro, TR1 1SG
Lemon Bridge, 21 Back Quay, Truro, TR1 2LL
Access via RADAR key
The Leats, The Leats / Nalders Court (behind the Post Office) Access via RADAR key
Ask a staff member at the café for access. Open 9am to 4pm seven days a week
Changing Places toilet Green Street, Truro
Lemon Bridge public toilets exterior
The Leats Accessible Toilets
Changing Places toilet Boscawen Park
LemonBridge Accessible Toilet
The Leats public toilets exterior
Useful Contacts
Here are some organisations that may be helpful if you have any accessibility questions or requests…
Access Cornwall CIC
1 Lemon Street, St Keverne, Cornwall TR12 6NG
Phone: 01326 350 805
Email: hello@accesscornwall.org.uk
Website: www.accesscornwall.org.uk
An organisation specialising in accessibility audits, training and guides — including the Accessible Guide to Truro.
They offer independent, confidential advice and information to people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, their families and carers.
Cornwall Mobility
North Buildings, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LQ
Phone: 01872 672318
Email: info@cornwallmobility.co.uk
Website: www.cornwallmobility.co.uk
Provides mobility equipment, seating assessments and adaptations to support independent living for people with physical disabilities.
Cornwall Carers Service
Main Office: CRCC, First Floor, The Chambers, Redruth, TR15 2SP
Phone: 01736 756655
Website: www.cornwallcarers.org.uk
Offers support and advice to unpaid carers, which may be valuable for disabled people and their support networks.
Cornwall Council – Adult Care & Support
For broader disability support services across Cornwall. Phone: 0300 1234 131
iSight Cornwall
The Sight Centre, Newham Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2DP
Phone: 01872 261110
Email: info@isightcornwall.org.uk
Website: www.isightcornwall.org.uk
Support services for people with sight loss.
Truro City Council
Municipal Buildings, Boscawen Street, Truro, TR1 2NE
Phone: 01872 274766
Email: info@truro.gov.uk
Website: truro.gov.uk
General contact for the city council; useful for public-realm or accessibility queries.
Truro BID (Business Improvement District)
Upstairs in Truro Community Library, Truro City Centre
Phone: 01872 273999
Email: alun.jones@trurobid.co.uk (BID Manager)
Website: www.trurobid.co.uk
Truro BID works to support businesses in Truro city centre and has supported the Access Truro initiative with Access Cornwall.
Visit Truro
30 Boscawen Street, Truro, TR1 2QQ
Phone: 01872 274555
Email: tic@truro.gov.uk
Website: www.visittruro.org.uk
Provides visitor information.
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