A rich resource for research, or a place to borrow the latest novel.
The Morrab Library is an independent library established in 1818, situated in the beautiful Morrab Gardens in Penzance, Cornwall. We hold over 70,000 books on floor-to-ceiling shelves as well as archives and a rich photographic collection. The library contains a wide range of both fiction and non-fiction books in the rambling rooms of a delightful Victorian building. The Morrab Library is a registered charity and depends on the support and generosity of our library community.
We are open Tuesday – Saturday 10am-4pm.
Latest news
First John le Carré Memorial Lecture to feature “Slow Horses” author Mick Herron
On Thursday evening 2 May 2024 the inaugural John le Carré Memorial Lecture will be presented by The Morrab Library at the Acorn Theatre in Penzance. Tickets for the event have sold out. Sponsored by The Arts Society West Cornwall and planned to be a biennial event,...
Take part in the ILA Annual General Meeting – 30th-31st May 2024: Call for papers.
We are delighted to invite you to take part in the ILA Annual Meeting, to be held on the 30th and 31st May at The Morrab Library in Penzance, Cornwall. Library staff, trustees, and volunteers are all welcome to deliver a paper, lead a discussion, or share your...
Looking for Christmas gifts?
We have a variety of other uniquely 'Morrab' gift options which all help to support the work of the library - Gift Membership Share your love of Morrab Library with friends or family - a gift that include access to 70,000 books(!), tranquil work spaces,...
If there is an afterlife, I very much hope that those good enough in this one might be rewarded with an exact replica of the Morrab Library – to sit out eternity browsing its shelves, reading in its chairs, and looking out of its high windows.
If you like books, if you like history, if you like beautiful houses, if you like hidden treasures, if you like people, if you like peace, you will LOVE Morrab. In fact, if you are alive, you will love it there.
Whether you’re an impassioned bibliophile or just someone who loves a good read, the Morrab is for you: a Cornish treasure house, a meeting place for like-minded souls, and a vibrant forum for contemporary writing.