One of the highlights of my recent road trip with my mum was visiting The Eden Project in Cornwall.
I have already posted about my trip to England’s West Country, but The Eden Project is such an amazing place that it deserves a full post!
Mum and I didn’t have set plans to visit The Eden Project. However, when we noticed a motorway sign, we impulsively took the next exit and spent the rest of the day at the biodomes.
The Eden Project Biodomes
Originally a huge clay pit, the site just outside of St Austell has had a complete overhaul. It has been regenerated as an environmental centre promoting and educating on biodiversity and sustainability.
The two massive biodomes – the Rainforest Biome and the Mediterranean Biome – are home to thousands of plant species from around the world.
When you first enter the Rainforest Biome, the wave of humidity is slightly overwhelming. But its this artificial rainforest climate – assisted by the man-made waterfall – that allows the plants to flourish. The world’s largest conservatory is an eclectic and colourful natural wonderland.
Sadly, the canopy walkway was closed due to unsafe temperatures. However, there was plenty to see from ground level and from the ramps winding through the dome.
Doing the rainforest Biome first is highly recommended… After leaving the dome rather sweatier than we went in, the Mediterranean dome felt almost cool in comparison!
Plant Species
The array of plant species in both Biomes was just incredible. There were vibrant colours, unique shapes, and flowers from the size of your fingernail to the size of your head.
Some plants took me back to my childhood backyard (with visions of our pet beagle chomping through Mum’s hibiscus flowers). Others were so unique that I couldn’t quite believe they existed!
Spring was the perfect time to visit, not just because the flowers were in full bloom but because of resident newborn chicks!
Why Visit?
The Eden Project has expanded year on year and is much more than a massive greenhouse; visitors looking for a thrill can play on the giant swing or England’s longest zipwire (sadly both closed when we were there); the annual music festival The Eden Sessions held in front of the Biomes draws crowds by the thousands each summer; plus, there are different exhibitions, festivals and educational courses running all throughout the year.
If you are a nature lover, I can’t recommend this place highly enough!
Walking away from this innovative tourist attraction, I felt calm, relaxed and inspired. I guess that’s the power of nature…
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For more nature from our road trip, check out my post on The New Forest!
I visited the Eden Project a few years ago and I loved it. Definitely worth a visit. Your lovely photos have bought back happy memories
It’s such a beautiful place! Glad to have brought back some good memories. 🙂
Such beautiful images 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
This is bringing back lovely memories! I don’t recall seeing the orb shapped flower with the big yellow ‘spikes’ though. The walk way is very strange and it actually sways very notably! I didn’t manage to find the giant zip-wire unfortunately. I love the way you layout your pictures by the way. I can’t wait for your New Forest photo’s ^_^
Glad to have brought back some good memories! 🙂 I was so sad I missed the walkway – I love heights, even wobbly ones!
I have only just discovered the galleries and I took FOREVER working out a layout for the pics so it made me really happy that you commented on it! Thanks so much! 🙂
Is this on basic free WordPress?
Yep, just the free version! It’s not the most user-friendly design but I got there! 🙂
Where in the menus did you find it hon? I’ll give it a go.
When writing a post, it’s under “Add Media” – “Create Gallery”. If you find a way to see the layout of the gallery without clicking “preview post” a zillion times, please let me know! 😀
Thank you! Will do.
So many beautiful plants, you have chosen a good time to visit.
It was spectacular. I could have spent many more hours there! 🙂
I love Richmond Park so next time the Plantation is definitely on my list.