Garden Of Eden?

The Eden Project is a fairly spectacular sight! The Domes, containing a wealth of Rainforest and Mediterranean plant-life are truly stunning both outside and in and the whole place has obviously made great efforts to be accessible, friendly and well... Corporate!?

(Eden Project View)

As part of our swim around Cornwall (rain, rain, rain) we visited the Eden project and whilst we'd been looking forward to this for some time, I couldn't help thinking it was more theme park than wildlife sanctuary. Not that i didn't enjoy or wouldn't go back... I'd love to see it again in another part of the year, to see how the vegetation and lighting has changed, but with the volume of other visitors, wholly unexpected on a random June weekend, before the school holidays, I might be tempted to pick a time well out of season!

I would wholeheartedly recommend the tropical Domes in particular. The humidity and vegetation can almost transport you cross continents and the amazing array of plants and flowers is stunning. The roof, so high above allows a feeling of openness, despite the closed confines and the spattering of artwork and displays offer a lot of education and learning. The Mediterranean zone of course feels more like a package holiday to the Canaries or Greek Islands, minus the beach and the bars and somehow appeared more familiar. Many plants here can easily be grown in greenhouses here in the UK so weren't quite as impressive... The Bougainvillea of course we have in our conservatory for example!

(Inside The Mediterranean Dome)

The education centre based, according to D, on Fibonacci numbers (!) was also an impressive structure though the latest 'seedpod' sculpture wasn't fully open for viewing, despite being placed several weeks beforehand. (We saw it on the BBC Breakfast News anyway!) and the sculptures around the whole centre were marvels to behold generally... We managed a good 4.5hrs wandering around, sampling their visual and culinary delights (Cornish Pastie & Chips for lunch!) and as I said, we'd probably take a trip back there, maybe more prepared for the tourist attraction element! They are planning a desert as their next venture so maybe we'll head back when that's up and running...? Jxx

(The 'Thingy' made out of old stuff... Washing machines, computer mice, etc...)