The Eden Project, Cornwall

Cornwall’s Eden Project is a fun place to visit, even in the depths of winter, as I did. Although the weather outside was frightful, it was warm and cosy inside the massive domes at its heart.

In 1999 the site that would one day become the Eden Project was an abandoned clay quarry. Four years later, after a miraculous transformation, it was the amazing exhibit we see today.

The majority of the old quarry is given over to the Outdoor Gardens. Admittedly these weren’t looking their best in December. But even then, you get a strong impression of how magnificent they must be in the spring and summer.

Panorama of the Eden Project site

I have to admit, the Outdoor Gardens felt a little like Hobbiton!

The Outdoor Gardens, like the whole of the Eden Project, are full of artworks

For most visitors, it’s the two biome domes that really make the Eden Project unique.

We began in the Mediterranean Biome, inside which conditions mimic the World’s Mediterranean-like climatic zones, including the Mediterranean itself, California and South Africa.

The Mediterranean Biome

Next up was the Rainforest Biome. Inside it was noticeably more humid than the Mediterranean Biome, mirroring conditions in places as far afield as Southeast Asia, West Africa and tropical South America.

The Rainforest Biome (with the Mediterranean Biome in the front right)

They’re not kidding when they tell you this is the largest rainforest in captivity

The dome is over 160 feet tall

Like the Mediterranean Biome, the Rainforest Biome is full of interesting features, such as…

A Malaysian hut

A rice paddy

Plants used to build canoes

Another hut

Artworks

A banana plantation

Appropriate birdlife (these are Roul roul partridges)

And a big red flower-thing! (Or perhaps it’s a triffid)

Clearly an exhibit on this scale takes a lot of daily maintenance

One of the highlights (no pun intended) of the Rainforest Biome is the Rainforest Canopy Walkway, which allows you to walk through, and even above, the rainforest canopy!

Heading up to the highest part of the walkway

I can see a waterfall from up here!

Another indoor part of the Eden Project is The Core education, arts and events centre.

The Core (foreground) with the biomes beyond

Looking down on The Core

One of The Core’s many interactive exhibits

At the core of The Core is Seed, an amazing sculpture weighing 70 tonnes, carved from a single piece of Cornish granite

Even in the depths of a wet British winter, the Eden Project was an amazing experience. I hope I get to see it in its full spring glory one day.

Wintery weather at the Eden Project

The locals don’t seem to mind the December chills

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