The Phoenix

The Phoenix sits in Truro as a proper working theatre - the kind of place where you'll catch everything from touring productions to local amateur dramatics. It's a town cinema and theatre venue rolled into one, so you're looking at films one night, live performance the next. Nothing particularly grand about the building itself, but that's rather the point. It does what it says on the tin.

You'll want to check their website for what's actually on when you visit, as the programme changes constantly. Some weeks it's blockbuster films, others it's theatre companies passing through on tour. If you're the type who likes having something cultural to do in the evening without driving all the way to Plymouth or beyond, this saves the petrol.

For families with older kids or teenagers, it's useful - keeps them entertained on a rainy Cornish afternoon. Theatre enthusiasts might find the touring shows decent value. Don't expect West End production values, though. It's a regional venue doing regional work.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Trethem Mill is closest at just over four miles away, or Stay Wild if you fancy glamping - you could easily pop into Truro for an evening here. The town itself is worth a wander anyway, so you're not making a special trip for the theatre alone. Worth it as part of a broader evening out rather than a destination in itself.