Penrose Water Gardens

Welcome to Penrose Water Gardens, one of Cornwall's loveliest days out, and until now also one of Cornwall's best kept secrets. Established for over twenty years it is set within a beautiful woodland valley two and a half miles from Truro, in the centre of Cornwall.

For more than 20 years Penrose Water Gardens has been selling aquatic plants wholesale to various garden centres in England and Wales. We are now open to the general public, selling a large variety of water and garden plants and Cornish crafts. You can enjoy beautiful surroundings whilst you shop and see the water plants growing in their natural environment.

Enjoy refreshments out on the veranda overlooking the ponds at the beautiful Lily Tearooms. The tearooms sell Tregothnan tea, Lavazza Coffee, gorgeous homemade cakes, Cornish cream tea’s and light lunches. We also have a selection of Cornish crafts for sale in the shop, making ideal gifts for any occasion. Beautiful wood crafts by Tom Higgins, a local wood turner, wildlife cards by David Chapman, a selection of soaps and hand creams from So Soapy and B Natural, a large selection of books and a range of gardening equipment from hand tools to pond liners.

Talk to our knowledgeable staff about any of the items we have for sale and they will be happy to help. Guided tours around the ponds can also be arranged on arrival if you wish to have a closer look and find out more.

The gardens have over 60 ponds which look spectacular when the plants and especially the Lilies are in flower. You can see the bobbing heads of the red, pink, white and yellow lilies in the reflective water of the ponds.

It is a haven for wildlife with many species of birds nesting and each day from spring to summer you look out for the ducklings and the moorhens as they cross the ponds. The dragonflies dart among the grasses and bring flashes of greens and blues while the many birds sing their various tunes and fill the air with song.

Even in the autumn and winter when the early mornings have a chill in the air, the valley can be white with frost and the ponds frozen which gives a different dimension to the place and gives a whole new setting. The trees and ferns glow with autumn colours giving warmth and pleasure to the whole area.

All this while you enjoy refreshments and shop adds to the magic of Penrose Water Gardens and makes it a truly unique place to visit.

Admission free
Disabled Facilities
Guided tours
Free Parking
Children under 16 to be accompanied by an adult at all times
Lovely outside veranda at coffee shop
Garden centre shop
Plant sales
Garden ornaments

Penrose Water Gardens is only 2.2 miles from Truro City, and just over a mile from the A30. It may be Cornwall's best kept secret, but its easy to get to!