In my opinion, renaturalizing a disused quarry is a good way to keep our planet green. The Eden Project has taken an interesting approach and created a botanical garden with global appeal.
You can get an idea of how much interest there is in the Eden Project as soon as you arrive. There is an access road and numerous parking spaces. These are filled one after the other during the course of the day and there is even a shuttle to the entrance from the more distant parking lots.
The Eden Project is located near St. Austell in Cornwall. The project was the brainchild of an English archaeologist and entrepreneur. The first work began in 1995 in a disused kaolin pit. It took a good 6 years before the extensive undertaking could be opened to the public.
The operator did not just want to create a tourist attraction here. His aim is to give visitors an understanding of the diversity of plants and their importance, as well as providing recreation. In doing so, he also draws attention to the topic of the environment and nature and the consequences for people of the destruction of nature.
Arrival at the Eden Project
We had decided to arrive at the Eden Project as early as possible so that we could spend a lot of time on site. A good decision, there was so much to see and experience!
A well-maintained footpath leads from the parking lot into the former mining pit. The path went downhill and only occasionally could you catch a glimpse of the site. Once we arrived at the entrance and the huge visitor center, we went through one of the countless entry controls quite quickly.
As soon as you step out of the building, the view of the “greenhouses” opens up. To be honest, I have to say that this is a completely misleading name.
Geodesic domes
We looked at four huge geodesic domes intersected with each other. A British architectural firm designed them in the style of Richard Buckminster Fuller. The supporting structure, which was built by a company from Würzburg, is clad with over 600 double-walled cushions made of slightly transparent plastic. Each of these cushions was individually manufactured by a Bremen-based company and fitted into the tubular steel frame.
In total, the domes cover an area of 23,000 m², are up to 50 meters high and have a maximum diameter of 125 meters.
I am so impressed by the architecture that it is only at second glance that I start to look around the former mining area.
There is not much left to see of the mine. On the opposite side of the pit you can still see the steep walls, everything is overgrown and some of it is already green. I was there in April and the first buds were just starting to sprout everywhere. It must be a green paradise here in summer.
As it was still a bit chilly and the sun wasn’t out yet, we decided to go into the huge domes first. Exploring the outside grounds would have to wait.
Off to the greenhouses
The domes are different sizes and are connected in the middle. The entrance to both areas is also located here.
In the entrance area, you can hang your jackets in a checkroom (unguarded). The halls are very warm and I found it very pleasant without a jacket.
There are also toilets, information desks and a large self-service restaurant, which is very busy at lunchtime (there is also a terrace).
Tropical visit
We were first drawn to the larger of the two greenhouses, where the vegetation of the tropical, humid region of the world awaited us. The temperature here is at least 18 degrees all year round. There are places in the hall where it can get up to 35 degrees. In addition, the humidity is quite high, which is typical of a rainforest climate.
A circular path winds its way through the large hall. To the right and left of the path, you can discover the beautiful nature of the tropical islands of South East Asia and West Africa and tropical South America. Signs on many of the plants and information stations reveal more about the nature of the regions.
I had previously read that you need about 1.5 hours for the tour. I think you should allow more time. Especially if you want to enjoy the exhibitions, hidden art objects and over 1000 different plants in peace and quiet, you need more time.
The path winds its way higher and higher in the hall – the temperatures are getting warmer, the humidity is increasing and we are approaching my personal highlight in this hall. You have to wait in line for a while, only a small group is allowed to visit this place at any one time.
After we had received a safety briefing, we set off. We reached a viewing platform under the dome roof via a free-swinging grating staircase (no photos allowed, don’t stand still!). Not for the faint-hearted or people with a fear of heights, as you are standing on a grating here too!
But it’s worth it!!! From up there you have a magnificent 360 degree view of the large domed hall. I really liked it there and would have liked to stay up there longer. However, the security staff make sure that you don’t stay there too long. On the one hand, many visitors naturally want to enjoy the view, but it is also not entirely safe to stay there. It is extremely hot at this altitude and the humidity is very high. My T-shirt was sticking to my body in no time and I saw quite a few visitors who didn’t really enjoy the walk up there. So it’s better to be careful and avoid it if necessary. There is plenty to discover even without the platform.
After this view, we walked past palm trees, banana trees and other exotic plants until we reached the end of the tour and left the huge dome.
Mediterranean climate in the Eden Project
Once across the entrance hall, we reached the entrance to the somewhat smaller geodesic dome. This “greenhouse” simulates the subtropical-dry and Mediterranean climate.
After the really warm and humid climate, it felt really “cold” in this hall. Depending on the location, it’s around 20 degrees. I think I would start the tour in this hall on a second visit. I didn’t find it quite as impressive there as in the other hall. But that’s certainly also because I’m much more familiar with the vegetation in the Mediterranean region.
In any case, the tour is very different. The paths lead through a slightly hilly landscape. The light scent of herbs floats through the air and I discover olive trees and vines. It’s almost like our last visit to Greece and the longing for the original location grows. If you can’t get enough of that vacation feeling, there’s also a restaurant here where you can eat almost like you’re on vacation.
There are over 1000 different plants to discover and some were even in bloom when I was there. It took us about an hour to explore the hall.
Let’s go outside!
After so much “indoor air”, we were tempted by the spacious outdoor area of the Eden Project. Even though not much was in bloom here in April and there were only a few green leaves to be seen, it is still a wonderful place to go for a walk. The very well laid out paths also lead past places where attempts are being made to cultivate rare and old useful plants. It is important to the operators of the Eden Project to preserve plants that are threatened with extinction.
During our tour, we discovered a few other places that can be visited. There is a building with temporary exhibitions, a large event hall (during our visit there was a huge activity area for children, in winter there is an ice rink, for example) and a building with a permanent exhibition on the subject of vegetation (super exciting).
If you need a bit of action, you can take a speedy ride on a ZIP line or go to the climbing garden (book in advance if possible).
It was very windy and cold during our visit. As a result, our visit to the outdoor area was a little shorter. However, I can imagine that it is a wonderful place to spend a lot of time in summer.
Is a visit to the Eden Project worthwhile?
Definitely!
It’s not just the huge domes that are worth seeing, I also really like the idea behind the project. Of course, it’s a touristy place that also aims to make money. But the work to give visitors an understanding of nature and the problems that we humans cause in small guided tours is just great. If only 10% of people have learned something after such a visit and apply and pass on their knowledge, then a lot has been achieved. I would like to see even more on offer for children. The earlier something is learned, the more likely it is to change in the long term.
Small addendum
Film fans will certainly have recognized the geodesic domes. They were used as a backdrop in the James Bond film “Die Another Day”.
Address:
Eden Project
Bodelva
Cornwall
PL24 2SG
How to get there
By car
Eden is just outside St Austell and is well signposted from the A30 from Exeter and the A391/390 from Plymouth.
By bus
Transport for Cornwall (Go Cornwall Bus) routes 28 and 31 run directly to the Eden Project and have connections throughout Cornwall.
By train
The Eden Project is just a few miles from St Austell station, which is on the main line from London Paddington and is well served by buses between St Austell and Eden.
Parking
There are plenty of free visitor parking spaces. From the parking lots, you can either walk to the visitor entrance and ticket counters or take a free park-and-ride bus (which runs at peak times).
Visitors can park motorhomes or caravans in the parking lot, and if they are too large, they can park in our bus parking lot.
Overnight parking is unfortunately not permitted.
Opening hours:
The times depend on the season and vacations. Please check the exact times here.
Admission prices:
The prices vary. Detailed information and booking options can be found here.
Good to know
This is recommended as only a certain number of visitors are admitted at any one time.
Tickets are also cheaper in advance than at the box office
There are plenty of free visitor parking spaces. From the parking lots, you can either walk to the visitor entrance and ticket counters or take a free park-and-ride bus (which runs at peak times).
Visitors can park motorhomes or caravans in the parking lot, and if they are too large, we can accommodate them in our bus parking lot.
Overnight parking is unfortunately not permitted.
Yes, the 22 kW AC charging points for visitors are located in the Banana parking lot and require the use of the Mer Connect app, which is available for download for iOS and Android.
Alternatively, you can also make contactless payments using a compatible charging card (e.g. from Electroverse).
Outside the high season, there is no time limit for charging. In high season, the maximum stay is 4.5 hours or until fully charged. After that, an overrun fee will be charged once the full charge has been reached.
Dogs are only allowed outside.
Yes, it is possible to leave suitcases or rucksacks in lockers. The lockers are located near the main entrance of the visitor center and the bus stop as well as in the Banana Coach Park.
There is free Wi-Fi throughout the premises, with the strongest signal in the buildings.
Yes, there is even the option of borrowing a wheelchair
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