Eden Project

We visited the Eden Project on New Year’s Day using a great local offer that allowed pass holders to bring a guest for free, so my partner and I went together. While it was still an enjoyable day, it’s definitely better to visit in the summer. Many of the outdoor plants along the paths weren’t in bloom, which made those areas feel a bit bare. However, the biodomes were amazing — especially the Rainforest Biome. Walking through the rainforest dome was incredible and genuinely felt like being in a real rainforest. The soundtrack playing as you walk around really adds to the atmosphere. There’s also a staircase that takes you to the top of the dome, giving a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest below, which was a highlight. The waterfalls were also stunning. Another bonus was that it wasn’t busy at all, which made the experience much more relaxing. The Christmas lights were beautiful, but I’d recommend visiting after 6pm to see their full effect in the dark. Overall, it was a nice day out, though I’d say it’s more geared towards children. I’d definitely consider returning in the summer to see everything at its best.

We visited today and it was very disappointing. • Very high entrance fee of £42 per adult. This feels extremely overpriced and poor value for money. • The biodomes look tired and dirty. Many plants are missing ID signs. The whole place feels neglected rather than inspiring. • Understandably, not all plants look their best. What is not acceptable is how many areas were closed or cornered off. You pay full price for a reduced experience. • Staff all seemed unhappy, unwelcoming, and unhelpful. This was noticeable across the site and really affected the atmosphere. • Food is very overpriced with long queues. Once you get it, the food is average at best. • Café staff did not remove the own cup discount unless prompted. The same thing happened to the couple in front of us. That leaves a bad impression. • We spoke to a couple visiting with their dog. They were very disappointed by how little they were allowed to access. • Random branded up cars placed at the entrance and around the grounds. Clearly a marketing or partnership deal. This feels completely out of place and not aligned with the charity values. Overall, this was a very disappointing visit. It feels like the focus is on getting people to spend money rather than delivering a quality experience. I understand Eden is a charity. That makes the strong money grabbing focus even more surprising. At £42 per adult, would we visit again? Definitely not!

This attraction is a huge investment in nature and this partially justifies the high entry price, and anyone with a day ticket can return for free within a year. The biomes are magical and the range of plants and flora is amazing. The partridges walking around are cute! The scale is something to be seen. We visited in October and although we booked for 9:30, we arrived to be told the biomes would open around 10:15 or when they were ready?! There are a lot of older staff who just appear over the whole thing to be honest. It must be a nice place to work because none of the staff we met were overly helpful and seemed to be in no rush whatsoever despite long queues. Speaking to a couple making herbal conversation and they were just unfriendly or slightly sarcastic which seemed odd? It really wasn’t busy, but to get a cup of coffee you have to queue behind people buying meals or light bites so it takes forever. Only one gluten free option for kids, so I was charged an adult price for the worst prepared jacket potato ever. Sandwich was stale had to return it. Gift shop is lovely. My kids unusually asked for us not to return the following day as planned, so I think that says a lot. Wonderful place, needs a customer service reboot.

We came twice in the summer of this year and are planning to revisit again in the very near future. The Eden project is truly a remarkable place, such a glorious array of plant life present, it’s absolutely breathtaking. The rainforest biome certainly can be hot especially towards the top so it’s definitely worth bringing a bottle of water with you (bring your own from home!!) but the water refill stations throughout along with the air conditioned cool room is a nice touch that definitely makes it more manageable. For quieter, cooler attractions there’s the core building with a couple of art installations and some lovely outdoor picnic areas, and a nice gift shop too. And the fact that the tickets are an annual pass means coming back is nice and easy too- just remember to pre book first!

My partner booked this for me as a treat on a recent break in Cornwall. My first thought was at approx £40 each was expensive but he had already booked it and I love plants so of course off I trotted. Having spent 5 hours there my mind is now changed on the admission price. I absolutely loved it. There is so much to see for plant lovers and it was a really relaxing walk round. Helped that the weather was great so we could take in all the outside areas too. Had our own packed lunch outside and a couple of cuppas in the cafes along the way.... be prepared to walk a lot and there are some steps/steeper areas but nothing too strenuous. If you have a mobility concern it may be worth checking with their team re accessibility etc. Everyone was really friendly and helpful and they all do an amazing job keeping this project maintained and thriving. I noticed they were installing an ice skating area while we were visiting so that would be lovely over the Autumn/Winter. Also if you re visit within 12 months it's free so that's a plus! All in all a great experience. 👍

I absolutely love the Eden Project and it’s one of my favourite places to visit whenever I come home. I could quite happily spend an entire day just in the rainforest biome. The light displays during the Christmas period are incredible and genuinely magical — at times it feels like you’ve stepped into the movie Avatar, almost like being on Pandora. The smells, the humidity, the lighting effects, and the sound design paired with dramatic music create such an immersive atmosphere that you genuinely don’t want to leave. An unforgettable experience and easily a 5 out of 5 for me.

Amazing place to visit no matter the weather! There are the inside biomes which are amazing to see in the sun or rain and the wonderful outdoor gardens to see as well. There are great outdoor play areas for kids and if you're feeling adventurous a zip-line that goes over the eden project as well. Definitely worth pre-booking though, to avoid the queues.

Visited on a weekend when the Christmas lights experience was on. It doesn't seem expensive to get in, but once you walk round everything, you realise how much it must cost for the maintenance and upkeep! Walked round both of the domes and then went back in again for the Christmas lights experience which was amazing! Highly recommend climbing the staircase to the viewing platform in the rainforest dome! Food and drink were reasonably priced. Gift shop was expensive! Would recommend a visit.

One of the highlights of our UK travel this year was the opportunity to visit Eden Project in Bodelva, Cornwall. Inside the two Biomes are collections of plants in diverse climates and Environments, the project also showcased extensive gardens with a wide variety of plant and flowers. Of the two Biomes, Mediterranean and Rainforest, I found myself more fascinated with the latter. The rainforest is way too realistic, the swamp, waterfalls and humidity its a good preview for someone who hasn't been to Asia or some tropical countries. The food court is also a destination in its own right; there are so many dishes to choose from as a matter of fact I believe that there were dishes from Africa, South America, Asia and of course some English dishes such as the local Cornish Pasty. It is a truly unique experience for me and I have never seen anything like it.

Very nice place bit pricey Food places are bit high Some of the experiences are unable to see as they are closed

Interesting garden and biospheres. The tropical rainforest sphere was especially good. Informative boards detailing plants and how they add to our global diversity. I do think the price of £27.50 was very expensive for a one day visit, although that was for a year pass so a good deal if local or planning to go back. Although the site is incredible and the eco aspect interesting I have been to greenhouses with as much impact. Pleased I went but thought it overpriced

Largest indoor rainforest in the world Over 1,000 varieties of plant Allow 1.5 hours to see everything - we took our time and actually spent 2.5 hours. Temperature: 18-35°C - it's best to wear in layers. I enjoyed the outdoors more than the indoor rainforest bec of the humidity and heat indoors. But the indoor have a lit to offer. You just have to remove some layers of clothing off. Parking was easy. They also gave a nice cafe and a nice gift shop

The Eden project has come along nicely. I visited it once in it's infancy and hoped it would flourish as much as the plants that were nurtured under the milky white domes. Time would tell. Years later, the time has told a story of lush palm trees and dense rainforest samples including bananas, hibiscus, plumeria and other outstanding samples of flora that we as humans, should be well versed in celebrating and knowing. The cafe's are plenty to slake thirst and appetite. There are ample signs to edify and elevate the mind. But not too many to keep you attention from just wandering the lushness. Super cool place to visit.

What an interesting experience. There's two different biospheres--one is the tropical dome and the other is the mediterranean dome. Personally, I enjoyed the tropical one more just because it was bigger and greener. not to say the other one isn't as interesting but both are very different.

It still fascinates me how a group of people got together, with an idea, but no money. They talked companies into involving themselves, again with no finances, to achieve a concept. Wow, what a concept. An old clay pit developed into the Eden Project. A great day out for ALL the family. Designed for Mums, Dads, kids and the grandparents. Disability is no problem, they cater for everyone. We spent the whole day there and didn't see it all. Luckily, the entrance ticket covers entrances for a year so we will be going back to see those items we missed. I can't explain how we were mesmerised on our visit as soon as we walked through the entrance. Breathtaking. Anyway, look at their website. It explains it all better than I could ever write. When you are down St.Austell way, give a visit. You wont be disappointed.

I kept thinking about the movie Biodome with Pauly Shore while in the Eden Project Biomes. Here's a breakdown of what I liked and didn't like: Likes: -Cafe was delicious. I had salmon with beet salad and endive salad. Huge, fresh, delicious portions. -The outdoor areas were beautiful and less crowded. -The Mediterranean biome had lovely California plants and flowers. -Pesto garlic salad dressing in the cafe. Amazing! I bought some in the gift shop. -Plants for sale! Dislikes: -It seemed a little gimmicky, like serving rum drinks in the rainforest biome. -The biomes were a little dirty and felt kind of like Disney World or something. -Super crowded. -The museum seemed random and unfocused. I wouldn't come back but I'm glad I saw it.

You may not run into Pauly Shore, but you will have fun in these biomes. The layout of the gardens can sometimes be confusing. You also have to be very careful to plan your exit early. It takes a long time to get to the top of the winding hill for the exit (this is only a problem if you need to catch the bus out of here). And the place is so big that you'll have to take a bus to get to the bus stop! Take the bus from the St. Austell station. You can purchase your tickets as a combo from the driver. It's cheaper that way. You know why? Because you get a discount if you don't drive yourself. But it's beautiful. That's all of the convincing you should really need. If you are in the area (within a day's drive), make an adventure of it and go. Learn something about plants. Learn something about nature. And just enjoy yourself! Plus, they do an amazing concert series!

Ridiculously overpriced botanic garden. My partner and I went to the Eden Project in August 2011. Upon parking our car at the facility, we waited 10 minutes for a shuttle bus to take us to the park entrance (about five minutes away, but the shuttle is a safer route, as the road does not include a walkway). There were massive lines for tickets into the park, so more waiting (20 minutes). The employees working the till try to upsell you on a number of "necessary" add-ons, such as a park guide or a children's activity book, none of which are actually needed, as there is great signage all over the park. What truly surprised us, however, was the fact that the adult admittance fee for the Eden Project was £22 each. That's a lot of money (Kew Gardens costs a mere £13.90 in comparison) to see manuever around thousands of people in an attempt to glimpse a couple plants. Note: you can buy your ticket online and you'll save about £3 if you do so. You can also exchange your admission ticket for an annual membership at no additional cost if you do so on the same day. Once we paid our exorbitant admission fee, we spent a few hours walking the grounds. There are two biomes on site: a rainforest biome that gets insanely humid as you climb to the top (several people had to exit through the side door), and a Mediterranean biome that includes a display of chili peppers. The chili pepper display is missing many of the hotter varieties, so it was less interesting than we expected. The biomes themselves were so crowded that you could barely stop to look at the plants without being pushed or bumped by another visitor. My partner and I simply looked at each other and said "let's get out." The outdoor area at the Eden Project is geared toward families with young children, and if you suit that bill, I'm sure you'll have a delightful time at the park. They have numerous play areas and organized activities for children, including obstacle courses, circus training, and art projects. For children, Eden Project offers hours of entertainment. For adults who simply want to spend a few hours quietly perusing the gardens, you're out of luck. There is no such thing as a quiet afternoon at the Eden Project in August. The outdoor habitats were not terribly impressive or picturesque, but certainly less crowded than the biomes. The Eden Project offers a land train that will drive you through the outdoor gardens, but it's not necessary, as they are small and easy to walk. We were surprised at the lack of flower gardens. If you decide to dine at the Eden Project, there are picnic areas in addition to several cafes and open dining areas. The large pots of paella cooking in the Mediterranean biome were tempting, but in the end we simply sampled a baobob smoothie in the rainforest biome. It is certainly interesting to see the biomes at the Eden Project if you're lucky enough to visit on a quiet day, but my overall assessment is that the park simply isn't worth the money.

This was the first time I'd been back to the Eden Project in almost ten years, it has certainly changed! As you enter the grounds of the Eden Project, you can park in number of car parks which have fruit themes, for the ones furthest away you can catch a shuttle bus. The entrance is very business like; the tickets whilst expensive allows you give a gift aid donation and also revisits for a year if you register your ticket. The ticket office is adjacent to one of the multitude of cafes at the Eden Project, which encourages all rubbish to be recycled, and features some very rustic seats and tables. There is also an entertaining display showing the consequence of a world without plants. The expansive shop sells not only Eden Project themed cookies, mugs etc. but also products created from recycled rubbish, plants, exotic teas, didgeridoos and paper made from elephant dung! As you enter into the main area of the Eden Project you are treated to the magnificent vista of the otherworldly biomes and the impressive landscaping, which at the time we visited featured a myriad of brightly coloured summer flowers. As you descend towards the biomes, you can walk through arbors of fruit trees or walk through the herbaceous areas, watched closely by the monster made out of electrical appliances! There is also a venue that at the time was showcasing different crafts, but also hosts concerts. The biomes themselves are accessed via a large cafe area, with both internal and external seating. This helps cater for the large number of visitors that visit the Eden Project every day. There are two main biomes; the tropical biome transports you into a humid environment that can initially literally take your breath away! This is the largest biome and is a fascinating place, huge tropical trees, magnificent waterfalls, tropical huts and informative plaques explaining what each plant is and which part of the world it comes from, superb. Don't try and take any pictures though, instant lens steam up! The second biome is the Mediterranean Biome, this has really changed since my last visit, again a warm area but not humid. Again fascinating information boards and strikingly beautiful plants, with a central paved area, where performances are about the threats to plants worldwide are performed. As an alternative way of getting back to the exit, you walk through through the striking herbaceous area, to another large area explaining the importance of plants, then up a lift and through a panoramic cafe area and over a metal bridge made from recycled products. The Eden Project is a great day out, informative and interesting.

Friends and I booked the Bill Bailey Comedy Session held at the Eden Project which entitled us to free entry for the weekend. I expected bigger and better but was not unimpressed. The gardens were beautiful and the rainforest dome was an experience in itself. I'm glad we arrived on a sunny day and if I were the green fingered type I would have been buying plants left right and centre but was in awe of the different colours, especially in the med dome. Obviously need to review the comedy session which was truly fantastic. Well organised bar areas, we purchased tokens up front so no endless queues waiting for correct change. Best toilets at a gig I have ever experienced, clean, no queue and they kept the indoor ones open until near enough the end of the gig. I could go on and extol the virtues of Billbut you know how fab he is and if he plays again next summer we're all there. My one big gripe with any UK tourist attraction.why are you forced to walk through the shop to get to the exit. If you're a family on a budget this would be hell, just like those sweet stands in supermarkets. I just had to but even more Cornish Fairings!!!!

A great day out but quite expensive . The tropical bio dome is amazing whereas the Mediterranean done far less so . I think they could do more with the site an underwater section perhaps . Still the site is extensive and their are other activities on site such as wire glide and climbing wall .

Went here on a school trip we enjoyed walking around the domes and the rainforest dome was my favourite part. The atmosphere was very realistic. The dome was very humid and the atmosphere was very peaceful. Then we had food at the cafe. The food was of good quality and this is a great place I think everyone should visit at least once.

We expected to be disappointed after all the hype about this place - how wrong we were!! Everything was first class from the parking to the food. Yes, it's not got as much as you might expect but it is all quality. I suggest that you save the Tropical Biome until last as this is by far the most impressive part of the visit and you may find yourself unfairly disappointed with other parts of the visit. As we left my wife said it was like Disney without the shmultz, I think I know what she meant.

I had heard and read a lot about the Eden Project since it opened near St Austell in 2001. On the whole it lived up to my expectations, and is an excellent place to learn about the environments in which plants grow, the effects of climate change and how we have come to rely upon these plants in our everyday life. The biomes (the greenhouses) are located in an old china clay pit. From the car parks at the top of the hill there is a regular shuttle bus which takes people to and from the main entrance - remember which car park you parked at. There is a fair amount of walking involved to reach them, and it could be a bit much if you are not good on your feet. However, there is a lift from the main entrance level down to the biome level for those with young children or for wheel chair users. Currently, there are 3 biomes - the rainforest biome, the mediterrean biome and the outdoor biome. The rainforest biome is the largest greenhouse in the world, and is probably the most interesting. There are places to eat which appeared to get quite busy and a pretty large shop. All in all a great day out for the whole family but be prepared to queue in peak season - on the roads to get into the car park, to purchase tickets, and all the way through the biomes. However, don't let that put you off, as it is an amazingly interesting attraction which is well worth a visit.

I had been meaning to try the Eden Project for more than 12 years after a broken down car scuppered my last attempt to visit. It is a massive site with the car parks named after different fruits and a bus to the entrance. It can be pricey to visit as an adult ticket is priced at £25, try to book online in advance as there are discounts to be had plus it significantly reduces your queuing time. There are two indoor domes with one with the rain forests and the other covering a Mediterranean climate. Both are impressive structures chock full of plants that don't normally grow on these shores. The third biome is outside and I think that it is the most impressive plus it also the biggest. There is a museum on the site but it seemed a little unfocused. My only gripe is that the whole place seemed a little gimmicky. I would recommend the cafe for lunch if you haven't eaten before you have arrived as the food served was delicious and of good quality.

The Eden Project is not what I expected. It is wonderful and clever what they have created but firstly, it is so overpriced, everything is a money making scheme in this place. For example, restaurants are absolutely everywhere and everything is about making money, like charging £6 just for a map! There was also not enough outside seating for people to eat their sandwiches - clearly another way to make you spend money. Also, I felt the project is not being kept up to its standards. So much money has been invested but a lot of the machines and exciting features were not working and certain things were not clean or looked after. We also went to a cafe and spent £25 for 5 coffees and 2 cakes! Ridiculous and the coffees were so small! Would expect more for the price. It is just not great, money was all they cared about. For what we are paying, it is not worth it. It is something different to do but it is not worth going again.

I freaking love this place. Really amazing. If you love plants. I would have loved ed to see a few more manicured gardens but that's not what it is about. Its about humanmade nature. But The food was bizarrely in diffrrent locations.. So good food joints hidden away. And bad ones in busy places. The food costs were a nice surprise for a Londoner l... Especially as they basically had a monopoly once you enter. Ice cream yum, pasties out of stock,burgers... Mediocre, the smoothies in the rainforest were really yum..don't skimp on food. It was nice variety. Be warned the exit takes you through a large gift shop with alcohol and sustainable homewares... It was hard to resist temptation. The staff seemed a bit like lost teenagers going through the motions. And once you are in there was a lack of cohesion to the staff team The Mediterranean bio dome... Was not warm. I don't know.if it's.cos they doors were left open. But it was chilly. Most disappointing of the whole day.I didn't feel like it was real.. The temp made it feel like the plants were fake. Nice day out!

Absolutely amazing, Really requires a few trips to get the benefit of everything that is on offer. I could quite happily spend all my time in the rainforest dome. the scale of the vegetation is astonishing. Words and pictures really cant do it any justice, it has to be seen to be believed. I would visit the Mediterranean dome first, as its also very good, but does pale in comparison with the rainforest one. There are good shops and cafes to visit. The gardens and sculptures outside also take a long time to walk around, I especially liked the giant bee. If the walking is too much for you you can use the zip wire (pedal powered retrieval) or the bio-diesel tractor trains (they small of chip fat). The rates are reasonable as once you pay its free fro the rest of the year.

Cornish Creams and Rainforest Dreams I'm in love. Yes I did utter the 'L' word ! However, sadly my new love affair is not with a tall dark, handsome stranger, but with a place - Cornwall ! We took the overnight sleeper train from Paddington to Penanze, booked into a local B&B and then spent the next day exploring the scones (smothered in homemade jam and clotted cream and simply to die for!)shops, beautiful locations, gorgeous views and tried to avoid being dive bombed by some of the biggest seagulls known to mankind ! I enjoyed it all, but I couldn't wait for our day trip to the Eden Project. We took the train to St Austell and then caught the shuttle bus direct to the Project. (You can get full price information from the Eden Project website www.edenproject.com). Once inside the ticket/cafe area did feel a little like a cattle pen, but fortunately cashiers were fast, friendly and best of all knowlegeable. A tip for those of you who are planning to go to the Project with your family, save yourselves some time and more importantly quite a lot of money by purchasing them online. Also there is a free little shuttle train in the park to get you around as the Project trail can be a little confusing. Once inside the views at the starting point of the tour were incredible, looking down on the whole Project. On the way down you won't fail to be wowed by an iron giant and a super sized bumble (great photo ops!). We followed the trail down to the central biodomes which house many interesting and unsual vegetation, lush gardens, but most notably the largest captive rainforest in the world. It was a great chance to experience a rainforest without heading off down the Amazon and even more exciting from the top of a 100ft viewing platform. Be warned though, the queue for the viewing platform is long and as you are in a rainforest the temperatures are exactly what you'd expect - sweltering, so stay hydrated and make sure you take along extra water with you. Before I forget and where my stomach's concerned it's something I never do, you must check out the Project's food court. I thought it was a little expensive, particularly bearing in mind the family audience the Project caters to. If you're on a budget, take along packed lunches. If you want to treat yourself then let me give you a tip - I had without a doubt one of the best organic salads I have ever had at the Project. It was delicious. Cornwall is beautiful, but the jewel in its crown in terms of its tourist attractions is definitely the Eden Project.

A truly beautiful and amazing place, but maybe a bit over-hyped and not as big as I expected. The outdoor gardens are beautiful, the Mediterranean Biome feels just like you're in the Mediterranean, and the Rainforest Biome has a fantastic high walk where you can look down on everything. The event they had on while we were their was all about chocolate, and we were entertained by the guy making an incredible sculpture out of pure chocolate. The staff is very friendly, and the whole thing is very environmentally-oriented and educational. I got a bunch of unique food loot from the shop I liked. It's a good place to spend a few hours while you're in Cornwall, but I wouldn't come out here as a destination in itself.

A fantastic day out for all the family. I would recommend getting there for 11ish, taking a picnic & having a leisurely day out. The bio domes are fantastic, with the plants being so mature & natural it is fantastic.

I really wanted to love the Eden Project - even when new it had generated a lot of hype and the local economy really needed it. Sadly I left feeling underwhelmed. Yes it's an interesting concept and a place where you can see plants and species from around the world in the unique bio domes but to be honest this is nothing new. The Project was much smaller than I had imagined. You have to be prepared for a hike down through the old quarry to the exhibitions (even the tractor/train looked uncomfortable). OK it's a great experiment and an interesting concept but that's it. There is nothing like it in the south west (apart from Heligan) so it's worth a visit. If however you are making a special trip, don't Save you time and go somewhere more interesting, better established and historical like Kew. Here you can be sure that you will have a full day out with more exhibits (and equally interesting examples) then Eden has to offer. Eden is a bit of a tourist trap too as it truly is in the middle of nowhere. Go unprepared and you will pay the over inflated for local organic produce. Pack sandwiches and a flask!

Wow, what an experience. I think it's a project worthy to support. The idea of environmental awareness is so important. We were very lucky to be there to hear the story of the Lorax originally written by Dr. Seuss. It was narrated by Jenny Crowe. It was brilliant. And although english is not our mother tongue we understood most of this great story. https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109076862627028419591/albums/5762187129420352465/5772151695360900146?hl=en I will come back. It's worth it

In some ways it's the sort of thing you would expect to find on Mars. A series of bio-domes that allow you to grow things which shouldn't really be on that part of a planet at all. Effectively, what you get is an incredibly well managed and beautiful set of botanical gardens that are definitely well worth visiting. It's the sort of thing that we should definitely have more of in the UK. Although I suppose most parts of the country couldn't support a rainforest type of environment in the way that Cornwall can. I would definitely recommend visiting the place - it is amazing, different and very special. It is however over-priced and the queues are too long. I do think that they should create a fairer set of concessions prices and a more effective way of dealing with the types of crowds sizes that they are clearly intending to draw.

Really love it here. I try to visit Cornwall at least once a year, and the Eden project is always on my list to visit. A ticket is valid for a year, so if you live nearby it would be amazing to visit here every few weeks and see the plants as the seasons change. As parking is free, there really isn't any excuse to. I also really love the gift shop and always end up leaving with loads of stuff.

My first visit to the Eden Project and I really enjoyed it. It was not what I was expecting at all (which was one huge bio-dome with a miniature world inside... maybe I should read the descriptions before going!). However, it's a really interesting place - lots of plants that I haven't seen before. My personal favourite was looking at the rice plants and the fact that it really smells like rice grains that come out of a packet (yes, I am a city girl...). You can also go to concerts and there are lots of (educational) things for kids to do. Loved the fact that you could buy some of the plants that you had just seen to take home and grow yourself - shame they didn't have any rice plants really... Anyway, it's a nice way to spend an afternoon and worth a visit. The tropical bio-dome does get really hot, so you probably want to wear layers if you go, so that you can adjust to the various temperatures. Also, if you are a UK taxpayer, you can gift-aid your ticket entry, which also works to support the Eden Project (when we went last week, they were offering a 12-month pass in exchange for using gift-aid, which was pretty cool and means I might go back a bit more frequently).

The size of the project, and an indication as to how busy it gets in high season, is evident from the moment you go through the front gates. Car parks named after fruits greet you together with signs saying how far it is to walk to the centre. Marshals direct you to the nearest spaces. The furthest car parks involve walks in excess of 1 mile. Fear not though ye lazy, a free circular bus will actually take you to the centre (something I was very grateful for being 8 months pregnant!). The busses go from stops outside each of the parking areas. There is limited cover/shade but no seating, something worth bearing in mind if it is very sunny or if you cannot stand for too long. Disabled badge holders have allocated parking right up by the entrance but you do need a blue badge. There is quite a long walk downhill through outside planted areas to get to the biomes. The plants are all clearly labelled and their uses, be they medicinal, edible or industrial are given. It is here that you get the first true insight into the ethos that is Eden a natural way of life. Due to the natural seasonality of plants there were quit a few areas that looked a little worse for wear spring was over but summer yet to begin. For me, it was a shame that the planting had not been done in a way so as to provide a little more interest year round. I suspect that this was the case so as to allow planting of similar groups together but the visual effect was slightly marred as a result. For those who are unable to manage the long walk down there is a land train (a tractor pulling carriages) that goes on a circular route down through the outside biome to the covered biomes. Unfortunately much of the outside planting is missed out if you take this route. If you can walk down, do (or borrow a wheelchair) and take the land train on the way back when going uphill. The main attraction for many will be the covered biomes themselves. There are three climatic areas planted up so as to reflect the biodiversity of the areas that share such a climate. The three areas are tropical, temperate and outside. The temperate biome, for me, was the best. Packed full of interesting planting together with lots of easy-to-read information about the plants, their uses and their relationship with man. Planting was interesting and a variety of levels, all accessible by wheelchair/pushchair, made for an interesting layout. I was quite surprised that the sensory experience was mainly limited to sight. A few birds in the biome gave some auditory experience but I was surprised at the lack of olfactory experience. Smell is the one sense that I really associate with plants but it seemed strangely lacking her. There were few places to sit down in the temperate biome although some of the planter walls were being used as resting places. Plants were all within reach and, as a result, some nearer to the pathways were damaged and looked a little worse for wear. As ever, vandals had decided that carving names in cacti was a good idea. The temperature in this biome was comfortable shirtsleeves were all that was required. The second indoor biome is the tropical zone. The temperature and humidity was instantly noticeable. Initially it did not feel too uncomfortable but that did change quite quickly. Perhaps visiting when pregnant was not a good idea but within about 5 minutes my hands and feet had swollen quite considerably. Water coolers were provided and people were making good use of the ones that were obviously placed. There were, however, coolers that were placed off of the marked pathways and thus not noticeable unless you were looking carefully. We heard several people commenting that they were struggling with the heat and humidity. The route around the biome was clearly marked, as were several shortcuts in case you needed to get out. Interestingly, I did not notice the air-conditioned room that had been pointed out to me on the map. The planting in this biome was very interesting but I felt that I could not spend as much time looking at the plants and the information as I would have liked. Certain areas of this biome are not accessible to wheelchairs and caution should be exercised throughout as the floors are very wet due to the humidifier sprays. There are some interesting displays of native habitation that would provide some interest for children. The tropical biome is probably the better of the two indoor biomes for children as many of the plants and exhibits are more recognisable in terms of the products that they give us (rubber, chocolate, bananas etc.). A recent new addition to the site is an area called The Core. Essentially an education centre, The Core is more like an interactive museum. A good resource for children aged about 5 to 12 years old, exhibits show man's interaction with nature, the price of living and the dangers that face the world. It could be depressing, but with some careful adult explanations, food for thought.

what a fantastic place to visit! just came back from a lovely weekend spent there, was expecting it to be big but not THAT big! you can easily lose a day on there! the trip started really well with the offering of a year round gift aid ticket, as they are a charity by donating the ticket price to them you allow them to claim back the tax from your ticket fare, that way everyone wins! plus they allow you to come back again for a whole year. That is clever thinking! After you get past the entrance you face a glorious view of the project! it really is amazing, the architecture is sweet and it just made me want to get in there! you have 2 choices on the biomes (greenhouses), either the Rainforest one or the Mediterranean one. even if they are very interesting I would definitely reccomend the Mediterranean first so that you can be gobsmacked with the Rainforest later on! it was a very well spent day, you find plenty of stuff todo/learn for kids and grown ups. If there was something bad out there I would have to say the food at the Mediterrabean restaurant.. it is over priced and not that good... apart from the garlic ciabattas, those were good!

Wow - you all really liked it! I thought it was okay but I don't know if I'll be back in a hurry. Maybe it's because it was overhyped for me and it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit. But firstly it was a lot smaller than I thought it would be and very very expensive. I read everything as I went round, including both biomes and all the outdoor gardens (needed to get my moneys worth!) and it took 3 hours tops. The food in the canteen was nice enough (if a bit too cold). Was a little upset that the list of the days events which I was quite interested in attending kept getting forgotten by the staff. The jams & chutney one was ok but I've learnt more listening to my nan for 30mins.

I was really not expecting to enjoy a day out in what I thought would be a glorified garden centre - how wrong I was! It was fascinating and has inspired me to make a veg patch in the garden (we'll see how that turns out!) There was so much information about what plants are used for in different places and the environment, I never thought I would find plants quite so interesting! It was a great family day out with good facilities for children and plenty of places to eat and drink. We went in August so it was busy but it didn't matter too much, we got there early so managed to see the domes before the crowds arrived. I'd love to go at another time of year to see it in a different season.

We went here last year and luckily had a nice day, its a fascinating place and also educational. It's pretty impressive, especially if you're interested in botany of course. According to their official literature, the busiest days for the Eden Project are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The entry price of £12 per adult but there are various concessions for groups, senior citizens and children Parking is plentiful and there are also coaches to take you to and from the further away parking points.

The Eden Project was one of the UK's Millennium Projects. It's founder, Tim Smit, aimed to turn a disused clay pit into a world class tourist attraction and education venue, and regenerate the Cornish economy into the bargain. He couldn't have done a better job. The Eden Project is a real oasis, showing what can be done when people put their minds to it. The most eye-catching feature are the two huge greenhouses that house the Warm Temperate and Tropical biomes - they look like bubbles resting on the steep sides of the clay pit. Indoors they mimic the perfect environment for plants from the tropics, the Mediterranean and other similar places around the world. Outside is the Cool Temperate biome - which showcases the large number of plants that can be grown outdoors in the Cornish climate. There are also spectacular art installations, as well as educational displays. The Eden Project focuses on sustainability and environmental issues. You can learn about economically important crops from around the world (and see them growing) as well as the environmental impact of material use and the importance of recycling. The Project practices what it preaches - they aim to be Waste Neutral, producing as little waste as possible, recycling as much as possible and buying in recycled products to offset any materials sent away for recycling. There's plenty of facilities for visitors, with enormous car parks (and shuttle buses), plenty of toilets and cafes and a lovely shop that only sells local or environmentally friendly products - so you can buy anything you want without guilt. There are also plants on offer, mainly sourced from local nurseries rather than the Eden greenhouses. If you have any interest in plants, gardening or environmental issues then this makes a wonderful day out for the whole family. I've been several times, and would go much more often if I lived closer.

Fabulous place to visit! There is so much to see and do here so give yourself plenty of time. My favourite is the mediteranean dome, cooler than the tropical one and so many different species. Last time I visited it was full of tulips in lots of different colours. I have been here a few times now and its seems to be different every time, it changes with the seasons and everything gets bigger! Delicious food if not a little overpriced and great gift shop. I would say the only down side is that it is expensive to get in, however, they do use all profits either for the eden project or for other projects around the world.

This is how to do a tourist attraction. The weather is often ropey, but once you are down the hill and in the domes it doesn't really matter too much. Don't bother with a coat - you'll fry! The 2 domes are incredible - the largest of which has to be seen to be believe - the photos do NOT do it justice. A large waterfall in the centrepiece, as you wander around a rainforest. The smaller dome is a bit of a let down - but only because the rainforest is so amazing. Perhaps do the smaller dome first! An amazing place that everyone should visit.

As I've been living in Cornwall for the past three years I have had plenty of visitors who have wanted to go round Eden, it being the star attraction around here. It has been enjoyable each and everytime I have visited although I am aware that it is quite expensive if you're only there for the one-time visit. I would recommend to visit on a sunny day as there are definitely less people around when it's raining there simply isn't space to move!! Also, I have found that the slopes are more interesting than the domes and also less crowded, the area about plants in Myths and Legends is particularly good. If you are planning a visit, check out the website for information about special events there may be a chance to pre-book which is especially useful when the ice rink is open.

The Eden Project in my opinion is the UK's best Tourist Attraction. If Gardening is not your thing, dont be put off visiting Eden as there is so much to see and do and its also a very educational and inspiring place. On first look you could be fooled into thinking that it will be a quick walk round, maybe taking an hour or 2 to fit everything in. How Wrong!! We arrived at about 10am and didnt leave until 8pm!! Be prepared for a lot of walking but if you take it an an easy pace and stop of to sit in the beautiful gardens admiring the views it will make it less strenuous. The highlight for me was the Bio-Dome (the biggest Greenhouse in the world) you actually felt like you had been transported to another world, the Heat & Humidity and the Tropical array of plants made it feel and look like you were walking through a real life Rain Forest. I also enjoyed learning about Eco-Gardening, there were many exhibits showing how to Compost or make a worm Garden. They were all shown in a really interesting way, educational and yet still fun. We came away from Eden inspired not just to sort our Back garden out!! but also to be more aware of the environment and help by doing our bit like recycling and composting, which we have stuck to ever since. It's a great Day out for all the family, well worth every penny of the £14 admission fee and I would jump at the chance of another visit to see just how things have changed since my first visit last year.

Now I am not a gardener by any means and I wasn't over enthusiastic about visiting here but my partner said she wanted to visit so I being the willing to please type (I'm not sure if she would agree) agreed to visit, and I am pleased we did. I am sure you've all heard about the Eden project so I won't add anything except to say it is well worth a visit.

|Just back form a 4 day stay at Eden, what a fantastic and ecological sound project. Restaurant was excellent and staff courteous. I cannot recommend Eden highly enough.

I went on holiday to New Quay in June 2007 and decided i couldn't visit Cornwall without visiting the Eden Project. I got in for free as i used Tesco Club card deals to get 2 adult entry passes for me and my boyfriend so i can't comment on prices. We arrived at the centre at 2pm but i felt this was too late as it shuts at 5.30pm and i did feel like i had to rush around to see everything. The domes were very interesting, it gets very hot in the tropical dome so be prepared to take a layer off. My favourite part about the place was the statue made from rubbish, its amazing what you can do with a fridge! The centre has a large gift shop and eating area. I would like to go again but spend a whole day there.

Created out of old China Clay pits this environmental project is immense! Every climate is catered for and the Flora that can be found there is amazing. There are two huge Biodomes: The Rain Forest biodome which houses tropical plants and fruits trees and bamboo; and the Mediterranean Biodome which holds plants which thrive in warm and arid climates. There are also sculptures such as the bullfighter dotted around this dome. Personally i prefered this dome as the heat was dryer! There is now a new addition to the site. The Core houses classrooms where exhibitions and educational lecture take place explaining the Eden Projects ethos. The kids loved the Storyteller and finding the statues in the arid zone. Its a fantastic day out but the kids got a bit bored towards the end of the day. The food on sale was a bit expensive so take your own packed lunch.

It really is astonishing to think that this was one man's idea and from an idea it has become a captivating giant reality. It's £25 entry for an adult, once paid you can register on line and go in every day for a year. Discounts are offered for booking on - line. Worth every penny. It opened about 17 years ago. I read somewhere that it has generated over £1 billion to the local economy since it opened. Staff are mega friendly. Now I'm a bit nerdy about this type of place. I could spend days going round and round then round again. There are two large artificial biomes containing thousands of plant species collected from all around the world, with some very rare plants and trees. Some of the leaves of the plants are over six foot long and a foot wide, bamboo inches thick. And then there's peanut plants to chilli plants, tobacco plants (you try getting their seeds!!) banana trees to cashew trees, curry plants, lemon trees, trees that give us medicine from aspirin to anti coagulants. The peanut plant is really fascinating; the plant blooms, it has pretty yellow flowers and it produces an umbilical cord with a seed at the tip. The umbilical cord stays attached to the plant and it drops to the soil; it pushes the seed into the soil and the peanut pod is fed through the plant with the peanut growing underground - a very rare thing in the plant world known as geocarpy. Technically the peanut isn't a nut it's a legume but that's another story do next time you munch a handful of dry roasted or spread some peanut butter just remember how rare this wee food is in natures chain. The Eden project is located in a reclaimed Kaolinite pit near St Austell. The biomes dominate the landscape and consist of hundreds of hexagonal and pentagonal, inflated, plastic cells supported by steel frames. It looks like something you would see in Star Trek of Blake 7. If Dr Who's tardis was there it wouldn't be out of place. Cybermen, daleks, would be at home as would Tom Baker or Jon Pertwee. There's also a large stage for music concerts - sure beats talking to the plants. The first dome simulates a humid near forty degree centigrade tropical environment, waterfall included and the second a Mediterranean environment. We were there nearly eight hours. All the food and drink is delicious and as fresh and natural as they can make it. The seafood paella is superb. As are the burritos, which go well with the local dry five proof cider. We also had coffee, scones with jam and clotted cream and a Cornish bun similar to a scone but made with saffron and fruit peel - delicious. It would be better if they changed their coffee though, as it could be better tasting but they are rightly fussy about suppliers given their ethos and commitment to plants, people and planet. Also they do need to filter the water used for coffee and tea as it too could be better. As I said they house some very rare plants and trees yet you won't find a bottle of coke or Pepsi anywhere - now that's a very rare thing indeed. As we ended our day we went to the Eden shop to get great bread, scones, strawberry jam and lots of other goodies. This place is captivating, educational, a living research facility, really worth supporting and it is certainly unique in Europe. Let's hope they'll achieve a desert biome in the next ten years I certainly wish it.

It's pretty amazing the first time you go there but living in the area & visiting reguarly it becomes boring incredibly quickly. At Christmas the light up the domes & it looks incredible. The ice skating at Christmas is a good laugh. I've heard Eden Sessions are usually pretty good but I've never been myself. Not what the hype makes it upto be I'm afraid, though I guess it depends what you're into.

me and my partner really enjoyed the eden project i was worried that it would be aimed at the older generation with mature gardens and a day of name the plant, we don't know much about plants but very open to learn and i did learn a lot there. there is a lot of walking and its not weather dependant but would be better in the sunshine the tickets were a little pricey but we got a free annual ticket included in the price so you can see the plants in the different seasons at no extra price. there is a lot of work still going on there and the plants aren't at a mature stage but otherwise loved it aimed at all age groups and in whole a fun day.

My wife, son & I cycled to the Eden Project from the Wheal Martyn clay mining museum using the Clay Trails. It was a hilly ride with a 4 year old on a tag-a-long but managable. There are two big advantages to arriving in this way - first you jump the main queue (go around to the kiosks on the left which are signed) and second you save £4 per adult (currently £16). Our son was sold on the idea of visiting as the biomes closely resemble the eco-domes in the BBC series "Lunar Jim" and once he spotted them he was sooo excited. This continued for much of the day. My wife & I had been before in 2005 so were keen to see what had changed. In all honesty not much except for The Core which was in construction last time around. The outside areas are now well established. It is hard to keep a 4 year old excited around the whole site but there was enough to keep him going for about 4 hours - he loved the walk down to the biomes where we saw the Weeeman & bee & the outdoor kids areas & winding the wheel on the exhibit in The Core. However, one disappointment was the stamps to collect in the children's guide book as many did not work. We took a picnic so cannot comment on the food but the local ice cream was yummy. Overall, a good day out but surprisingly busy given we visited outside of the school holidays. BTW, if you gift aid the entry you can get a pass valid for re-entry for the year.

My partner and I received free tickets to the Eden Project which inspired an impromptu trip to Cornwall. I therefore can't comment on the admission prices which seem to be the subject of many of the reviews on here. This was my second trip to the project, my first had been a pre-opening viewing when I was a child. During my first visit the domes had already been built and filled yet the outdoor gardens were bare. I was delighted to see how much it had changed in the years that had passed. The domes are interesting and novel but for me the setting of the landscaped ex-quarry is definitely the star of the show. I didn't bother indulging in the overpriced souvenirs although we did enjoy a traditional pasty in the restaurant which was very good (well I did, my girlfriend had the veggie option a cheese and onion pasty). I would definitely recommend the Eden project, but would advise you not to put an entire day aside for it as we found two or three hours was more than enough.

Rather than repeat some of the descriptions from other reviews, all of which are essentially spot on, I will say my favourite part of Eden is not only the concept (we know a few trustees and were thrilled to watch it all unfold) - but the entire grounds. Food, music, artwork, courses....just the overall freshness of the place. There is even ice skating in the Winter.

Built in a china clay pit in the wierd industrial landscape behind St Austell Bay this is one of the places that you have to go and see, if only to see the strange not-quite-of-this-world landscapes that surrond it and the amazing glasshouses that nestle into the cliff of the old pit. 7 million people have already visited it so you probably don't really need me to tell you much about it - you probably know someone who has been and if not you'll have heard about it - The Eden Project are very good at press and publicity. Hosting one of the Live-8 Africa Calling Concert - the only Live 8 concert to feature lots of artists from the countries the concert was supposed to be drawing attention to - was just one of the ways they've kept their name in the headlines. I've just been visited the project in the Febuary half term with 2 other adults and 2 children aged 7 and 9. We must have spent 6 hours there and would have spent longer but it shut. The biomes (Glasshouses) are impressive. The children ran around exploring the many paths and the adults enjoyed spotting plants from places we'd visited. Since we'd visited the Oxford Botanic Garden not so long ago and the children had been to the Living Rainforest at the begining of half term I'm afraid we were all a bit blasé about tropical plants. There are plenty of trees large enough to make you wonder "how did they transport them and transplant them without killing them off". there are informative sections about rubber and bananas. There were interesting buldings such as a refugee/displaced persons shelter built out of plastic sheeting and whatever building materials were likely to be found, a house built of bamboo (which I tried to shake and it was amazingly solid - I am no less fearful for the building workers who use it as scaffolding in some parts of the world), and a Malaysian cottage with a cottage garden. We enjoyed a Cornish pasty lunch for a very reasonable price. the "family" lunch let us have 2 veggie pasties and 2 meat pasties, some chips (with their skins still on so they were obviously very healthy) and a large jug of homemade lemonade. There was also a pizza and pasta cafe and a baked potato, salad and sandwich cafe. all the food looked very good. Then the children went skating. At £4 for 40 minutes this seemed a good deal to us. longer than £40 minutes and they get tired anyway and longer than 40 minutes and the non-skating members of the party would have been bored of just watching. The ice-rink is in the covered area where the pop concerts and other things happen and is only there until Easter. It was real ice. The numbers were controlled and so it wasn't busy and the boots were comfortable. Since the children had got in free with their Blue Peter badges and one of the adults was a Devon resident who would only have paid £5 if he hadn't already done that and been given an annual ticket, we didn't mind paying extra for the skating. (It is worth looking on the web site to see what deal are available on the tickets. If you gift aid your ticket you get a free annual pass.) Then we went to "the Core" which has some rather twee exhibits telling us why we should save water and not use up all the earths resources. Lots of little figures stuck in collages and little bits to read. The little bits to read were too small for my 7 year old to read easily and not informative enough for the grown-ups and they weren't interactive, you just had to peer through the glass at the exhibits which seems a very old fashioned way of getting the message over to children. What the 7 year old really, really enjoyed was the incredibly complicated sculpture/macine that let him crack a nut. by winding a handle, he moved the gears and chains, hamers and balls that eventually cracked a nut. We were impressed with "the seed" a sculpture from a single piece of granite hidden in the heart of the building. And then we ran out of time and had to go without really seeing what was on the upper floor. We also missed most of the outside gardens and the mechanical theatre so we will be going back. But maybe not in the summer. My parents went in the summer and said it was crowded and very hot in the biomes. Overall we had fun but we probably weren't as impressed as all the hype made us think we would be. This maybe because we are lucky enough to live in Oxford where the museums are very child friendly and museum trails/treasure hunts are very well thought out (not just two to a large greenhouse). If you are in Cornwall with children in the summer and the weather is good I'd stick to the beach and the countryside and show them the wonders of our planet that way. But on a cold and gloomy Febuary day it made a great day out. Check out their website which is very informative if you can find your way around it.

Eden is a fantastic place for the whole family. Kids love looking at all the different plants as much as adults do, and everyone always loves the train ride down! However the best time to go to Eden has to be winter time! At this time of year they have their ice skating rink, and also on certain weekends they have father Christmas coming to see the children and makes for a really magical experience! They have christmas lights twinkling every where at this time of year, also Christmas choirs, fantastic tasting festive food, a Christmas market with lots of local and eden inspired unique gifts, and lots of other seasonal surprises. In fact Eden is so good that it doesn't matter how many times you go back you always find something you ahven't seen before as they are constantly improving and diversifying. I would highly recommend going to Eden :)