1 Walking from Parade Street

Morrab Gardens is in the heart of Penzance, a short walk from the centre of town through narrow streets that abound with historic interest. Turning right at the end of Parade Street there are hints of what is to come as you walk down the drive leading to the gardens, with Chamaerops humilis (Fan Palms), phormiums and spreading clumps of Fascicularia with their dramatic display of foliage and flowers in autumn.

Morrab is not a large garden, only about one and a half hectares, but is packed with plants of interest – many of which are rarely seen anywhere else in Britain. The advantage we have here, which enable us to grow such a range of plants, is all down to our location. On a south-facing slope, only a quarter of a mile from the sea and surrounded by houses which create an urban heat island, there is possibly nowhere on the British mainland with a more favourable microclimate.