Fancy walking over the treetops or taking a stroll in a lush, green jungle while being in the comfort of your city? Head to the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK.

Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, lives up to this compliment. Constructed in a field larger than eight football fields, two iconic domes proudly sit in the town of St Austell in Cornwall, representing the Eden Project. These domes are home to the largest indoor rainforest in the world. Eden Project in Cornwall isn’t only about stunning architecture, but it defines a relationship between people and plants and our dependency on the flora.

With hundreds of plants from all across the world, their fragrance dominates these biomes in the Eden Project. Not only is a massive, tropical garden, but Eden Garden in Cornwall is also a gateway to knowledge about plants and their role in the survival of mankind on this planet. Indeed it one of the major tourist attractions as well as an educational platform for people visiting Cornwall in the UK. Been the recipient of Best UK Leisure Attraction for 5 years, Eden Project in Cornwall is a must-visit.

Fascinated to travel the entire world through its native flora? Check out my guide to visit the Eden Project in Cornwall.

What is there in Eden Project?

Eden Project isn’t short of activities and things to see. Some of the highlights of the Eden Project are:

Rainforest Biome

A rainforest biome consists of 2 large domes which are marvellous pieces of modern architecture. These domes have various plants and one can walk through these by walking over a rope bridge, which is the best way to experience the exotic plants. A breath-taking view of the biome can be enjoyed by walking over this canopy of 23 metres connected between two of the tallest trees. It is an amazing walk over the treetops presenting a perfect rainforest vibe. Over 1000 varieties of plants are present in these biomes and it proudly owns the title of “Largest indoor rainforest in the world”. Not only it takes to you to a jungle journey, but it also offers the opportunity to experience four of world’s rainforest experiences: Tropical Islands, Southeast Asia, West Africa and Tropical South America.  

Some of the specialities of these biomes include a paddy field, a splendid waterfall, African totem sculpture which has been constructed from timber recycled from Falmouth (another town in Cornwall) Docks, banana trees and Cacao trees producing delicious chocolate. An oil palm exhibition is also located inside these biomes which is a great source of learning. These biomes also present some wall paintings and take one through the usual day of an Eden gardener. The rainforest biome is also home to some beautiful birds including partridges and Sulawesi white-eye birds.

These biomes take one to a parallel world and the experience is remarkable. Keep at least 1-2 hours to completely enjoy the rainforest biome.

Explore the medieval city of Exeter, home to the renowned University of Exeter, where JK Rowling studied!

Mediterranean Biome

This is another biome in the Eden Project in Cornwall. It focuses on the plants that are grown in the Mediterranean climate. This biome has plants endemic to South Africa, Australia, Central Chile and California. Some of the native plants of Western Australia like the grass tree, a flurry flower looking like a kangaroo paw and Scarlet banks who release its seeds upon fire or rain. Isn’t it interesting? Various plants to these Mediterranean regions decorate this biome. 

A giant sculpture of Bee

Bees are essential for pollination and thus form an important link in our survival chain in this world. To emphasize the importance of bees, a giant sculpture of a bee has been constructed and placed at the entrance of a biome. As bees are endangered and due to our high dependence on them, it is a very responsible step taken by Eden Project to raise the awareness of bees.

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Other attractions in the Eden Project in Cornwall

There are plenty of other attractions to be enjoyed at the Eden Project.

Walk-through the most romantic place in the UK, the majestic Eilean Donan Castle!

Visiting the Eden Project

Reaching there

If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is St Austell which is on the main railway line. If you are travelling from London, there is a direct train to St Austell which takes about 4 hours. Check out Cheap Train Tickets

Eden Project is 35-40 minutes bus ride from St Austell station and there are direct buses available. It is 20-30 minutes’ drive from the railway station. Due to its gigantic, striking architecture, it can be easily located from a distance. There is ample parking available at the venue and many tours also run from London and other major cities of the south-west of England, like Bristol and Exeter.

In case you are driving to the Eden Project, check Rentalcars.com for their best services and price!

Opening hours and ticket cost

Eden Project offers a 10% on the tickets if they are bought in advance. They also offer a £50 membership for a year which brings you unlimited discounts on the facilities offered at Eden Project.

Opening hours

Eden Project in Cornwall opens for every day other than the Christmas Day and few days in January and February when maintenance is planned. Their ticket desk opens at 9.30 AM whereas the venue opens 10AM- 6.30PM with biomes closing at 6 PM.

Tip: It is advisable to check their website before visiting as some days have essential maintenance planned or some part of the venue is closed for private functions. Also, some special events take place often at Eden Project and it might be worth visiting on the day when they are planned.

Facilities

Eden Project in Cornwall has every essential facility available including a number of restaurants, baby care toilets, wheelchair accessibility for most of the venue and dogs on a lead are welcome. They also provide audio and guided tours for the guests.

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Where to stay in Cornwall while visiting the Eden Project

There is plenty of accommodation available in the town of St Austell and nearby towns. Most of these accommodations are very affordable ones and not too lavish. Cornwall has some of the most beautiful beaches and one can opt for checking them while visiting Eden Project. However, Eden Project also offers on-site accommodation in the form of bedrooms made from a shipping container. This is in line with its focus on sustainability. They also offer on-site camping for guests.

Booking.com

What to wear in the Eden Project

As there are various plants in the Eden Project and the venue especially the biomes are temperature controlled to provide the optimal temperature for the plants, it can get pretty warm and humid inside. It is advisable to wear light clothes with a jacket if it’s cold outside. One can remove the jacket inside the biomes. Also, as the entire site is quite massive, keep ample time for your visit, at least 4-5 hours. It is also advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes as the whole venue has to be explored on foot.

Adventurous activities at the Eden Project in Cornwall

Thought Eden Project is only about plants and sustainability? Wrong! It offers a whole bunch of adrenaline activities and I being an adventure junkie, mainly planned my visit to the Eden for the zip line they offer, the longest in England. Not one but Eden Project hosts many of these adrenaline activities, some of the best in the UK. These activities are offered by an adventure company called, Hangloose Adventure.

Sky wire

Sky wire is the zip line offered by Eden Project in Cornwall which provides you with an opportunity to fly over the striking biomes of the Eden. Perhaps, the best way to witness this marvellous pieces of architecture is to soar above them at a height of 100 metres, covering 660 metres at a speed of 60mph, being the fastest and the longest zip line in the UK.

The experience is fantastic and completely safe. After equipping you with the modern safety gears and taking your consent, you are transported to the location where the adventure starts. Their crew is extremely experienced and makes you feel comfortable. It is indeed an exhilarating experience to fly above the white glittering biomes of Eden Project.

SkyTrek

This is another adventurous activity at Eden Project in Cornwall which offers aerial trekking. It is a perfect family adventure as there is an aerial course and participants are required to pass through the obstacle. In the end, they have to take a small zip line to reach where they started. Do not miss it on your next visit to the Eden Project.

Vertigo

Presenting the perfect views of the Eden Project, Vertigo is a 360-degree swing, first of its kind in England.

Gravity

Gravity is a giant swing where you are dropped either solo or in a group from a height of 65 feet over a cliff edge with a speed of 50mph. Imagine the adrenaline rush?

Check out tours for Cornwall!

The Drop

This is a leap of faith in which you jump from a cliff edge and accelerate towards the ground for a distance of 10 metres in mid-air, all being tied with a safety harness.

Big Air

In this base jump activity, you jump without any harness over a height of 12 metres. It’s a free-fall drop and you land on a cushion bed.

If you think life is short and it’s difficult to gain an education, walk through a rainforest, experience the Mediterranean and tropical climates along with enjoying adrenaline-filled activities, all at the same time, head over to the Eden Project in Cornwall and experience everything in one single day.

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