The Eden Project
The Eden Project is a unique 21st Century family attraction, an interesting and lightly educational look at world ecology and biodiversity.
Carved into the eerie decayed landscape of the old tin mines of east Cornwall , the Eden Project has completely transformed this derelict former china clay pit, miraculously breathing life into a land with no soil and one that lies below the water table.
This huge botanical project outlines mankind’s dependence on plant life for food, shelter, furnishings and medicine under the bubbled domes of two giant biospheres. The largest measures some 60m in height and covers an area of 15,000 square metres, the smaller is roughly half the size. Inside these controlled biospheres are a lush jungle of 8,000 plants and trees representing ecosystems of Amazonia, Africa, Malaysia and Oceania, from the hot and humid to the dry and arid.
Around the extensive 34-acre grounds are a wide selection of artistically landscaped flowers and shrubs that can be found in temperate climates from Northern Europe to Chile, which thrive in this sheltered and sun blessed spot along St Austell Bay.
The visitor centre houses a collection of interactive exhibitions, made by local artists, aimed at educating children of all ages and outlining the importance of the environment in a way that isn’t patronising or preachy. The restaurant includes food stuffs grown locally and even home brewed beer and wine from home grown hops and grapes.
