Welcome to Morrab Gardens
About The Gardens
The quality of a public space gives a strong impression of an area. It is part of what gives a town its identity, and local residents a sense of civic pride.
Friends of Morrab
The Friends are a lively group of people who share a love of the gardens. Some volunteer their help in the greenhouses and the grounds, others like to get involved with fundraising, especially at the annual summer fete.
How to find us
Morrab Gardens is located in the heart of Penzance, just off the town centre and has been looked after by the Council since it was bought in 1888.
Testimonials
Every day something fresh, something new:
camellias dripping with early morning rain,
wave upon wave of magnolia, perfect white to deep lilac,
first daffodils, crocuses under the trees,
Open spaces filled with flowers, smell of spring grass-mowing.
Secluded walks, hidden pond – one bright pink water lily.
Children playing in the bandstand, teenagers’ meeting place,
summer picnics on the grass,
fountain playing, small birds drinking.
Red sumac leaves caught and turned in the wind,
gossip on the corners.
A pair of gulls trampling the wet grass for worms,
early frost on leaves, frozen spiders’ webs.
At night, dark tree tunnels
Penny Young
Friends of Morrab Gardens MemberLike most of the houses in the centre of Penzance, my terraced house has a very small garden. It was, therefore, a real joy to discover Morrab Gardens with its wonderful collection of sub-tropical plants. And even better, to meet Joe the head gardener who was more than happy to let me loose with a spade and a wheelbarrow. My favourite time of year in the Gardens is the spring when the daffodils are in full bloom and the magnolia trees are truly magnificent. I love taking my dog for a walk in the early morning before many people are about. Because I wanted to become more involved I joined the Friends of Morrab Gardens and have made some really good friends and learnt some useful gardening skills along the way.
Rosie Hughes
Friends of Morrab Gardens Chairman
Latest news
Lilies and Pleached Limes: Julia Grigg's Morrab Miscellany
Reaching L in her Morrab Miscellany, Julia Grigg enjoys the heady scent of lilies, explores the landscapes of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and admires the pleached limes at Sissinghurst.
William Kent – a pioneering garden designer with fresh and revolutionary ideas: Julia Grigg’s Morrab Miscellany
Garden designers over the centuries have left a lasting legacy in their ideas and in the gardens they created. In this Morrab Miscellany, Julia writes about William Kent who used his talent and experience as an artist to revolutionise garden design 300 years ago.
J for Joe Palmese, Gertrude Jekyll and Henry James: Julia Grigg’s Morrab Miscellany
In her Morrab Miscellany today, Julia Grigg writes about Morrab’s devoted Head Gardener, an influential lady gardener from the past, and one of our greatest authors who claimed to be hopeless about his garden – but clearly loved it.