The gardens host a collection of Japanese banana plants (Musa basjoo) that survive year-round outdoors.
The Morrab Library, located within the grounds, holds a significant collection of books on the history of Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.
The park features a war memorial designed by the renowned local architect Frank E. P. Edwards.
A rare Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chilensis) is one of the specimen trees maintained in the collection.
The gardens were gifted to the town of Penzance in 1889 by the Lady Mary Bolitho.
The site includes a fountain that was originally part of the 1851 Great Exhibition in London.
Morrab Gardens is a subtropical public park located in Penzance, famous for its collection of exotic plants that thrive in the mild Cornish climate. The gardens were established in 1889 on the grounds of a Victorian mansion and feature an eclectic mix of palms, tree ferns, and succulents. The site is laid out with winding paths, a Victorian-style bandstand, and a central fountain. It houses the Morrab Library, an independent library founded in 1818, which holds an extensive collection of rare books and local historical archives. The landscape design emphasizes a sheltered, micro-climate environment, allowing species typically native to the southern hemisphere to grow outdoors. The park is maintained by a combination of local government support and a dedicated volunteer group.
The central Victorian bandstand surrounded by towering palm trees.
Check the notice board near the main entrance for updates on seasonal volunteer-led garden tours.
Bring a book to enjoy in the sheltered seating areas, as the library offers a quiet, academic atmosphere.
Visit the Morrab Library building even if you do not have a membership to admire the historic exterior architecture.
Do not attempt to climb the historic stone walls or pick any plant cuttings, as these are protected botanical specimens.
Stay on the designated footpaths to protect delicate plant specimens and respect the quiet zones near the library.
