St John the Evangilist

The cathedral in Truro is impossible to miss - three Victorian spires rising dramatically above the roofline as you approach the city centre. St John the Evangelist is the proper name, though most locals just call it Truro Cathedral, and it's genuinely one of Cornwall's most striking buildings. Inside, the soaring Gothic nave hits you immediately. The light pours through the stained glass in a way that justifies all those centuries of tradition around church architecture. You can spend twenty minutes doing a quick circuit or a full hour if you're the sort who reads every plaque and studies the stonework.

It's not a cheerful, bouncy sort of visit - this is quiet, contemplative stuff. Children might get restless after half an hour unless they're into spotting gargoyles and climbing the organ pipes with their eyes. History types and anyone interested in Victorian ecclesiastical ambition will find plenty to engage with. The building itself is the main attraction; there's usually something happening inside - services, recitals, exhibitions - so check ahead before you go.

Free entry, as with most cathedrals, though they do ask for donations. Allow at least an hour if you're properly exploring. Truro's compact enough that you can combine this with the city's shops and restaurants in a half-day trip. If you're staying at Trevarth Holiday Park or Wrinklers Wood Glamping nearby, it's a straightforward drive in - less than ten minutes from either. Go on a sunny afternoon when the light's best; grey December mornings feel a touch gloomy.