The Eden Project is a top international visitor attraction for all the family. Children and adults will love the Giant Greenhouses of Tropical and Mediterranean plants.

Two giant greenhouses containing rainforest and mediterranean plants dominate the Eden Project. The Eden Project offers fabulous modern architecture, and a fascinating ecological journey through the world of plants, and especially man’s relationship with them.

Opened in 2001, the Eden Project has already welcomed over eight million visitors. Most visitors need around four hours to explore the Eden Project.

Giant Geodesic Dome Greenhouses

The central features of the Eden Project are two giant greenhouses known as “biomes” which contain recreations of rainforest and mediterranean ecosystems. Each greenhouse contains a stunning range of plants, particularly those plants that have a close relationship with man, such as food and fuel plants.

The Eden Greenhouses are beautiful pieces of architecture in their own right.

Each greenhouse comprises several honeycomb framework domes; and each “cell” of this honeycomb is filled with a cushion of tough stain and weather resistant clear plastic film. Air is pumped into each of these transparent cushions to provide a sturdy, insulating protection for the ecosystem below.

The greenhouses are generally low maintenance, but visitors may occasionally see abseilers clean and repair the biomes.

The Rainforest Greenhouse

The size of the Eden Project Greenhouses is impressive. The Rainforest Greenhouse is 50 meters high, 110 meters wide and 240 meters long, and contains plants and crops from tropical environments and rainforests, including bananas, coffee, balsa, mahogany, bromeliads (orchids), spices and tropical ferns.

The Mediterranean Greenhouse

The Mediterranean Greenhouse is 35 meters high and 140 meters long and includes plants from:

• The Mediterranean: citrus, olives, herbs and vines
• South African regions: proteas and aloes
• California: poppies, lupins and shrubs

Other attractions at the Eden Project

While the giant greenhouses dominate a visit to the Eden Project, don’t miss the some other gems on offer during your visit.

The outdoor biome comprises the considerable area dedicated to temperate climate plants outside the greenhouses. In spring, visitors can enjoy the fantastic display bulbs (daffodils, crocuses and tulips) which start to bloom from February. Gardeners will enjoy the large outdoor vegetable garden all year round.

The Core, opened by Her Majesty the Queen in June 2006 is an educational centre offering films and exhibitions about the core Eden message: man’s relationship with plants. The unusual architecture of the Core features a timber framed roof whose geometry is inspired by the patterns found in pine cones and pineapples, and an inspiring giant stone sculpture in the shape of a seed.

Further information

The Eden Project is open from 10am to 6pm during the summer season (from 17th March in 2008), and from 10am to 4.30pm during other periods. Please note that last entry is 90 minutes before the site closes. The Eden Project is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Days (24th and 25th December).

Admission is £15 per adult and £5 for children under 18, free for under fives. Discounts are available for students, senior citizens and groups of ten or more.

The Eden Project is in Cornwall in the South West of England. The nearest large town is St Austell which is 5.5 miles (9 km) away by car. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport or bicycles to visit the Eden Project by enjoying reduced admission prices. For information about bus services to the Eden Project call Truronian buses on + 44 1872 273453 (from outside the UK), 01872 273453 (within the UK).

The Eden Project's address is:

Eden Project

Bodelva

Cornwall

PL24 2SG

tel: + 44 1726 811911 (from outside the UK), 01726 811911 (within the UK).

The official Eden Centre website offers practical information for visitors as well details of special events, travel to the Eden Project and the history of the project.

While in Cornwall don't miss the coastal town of St. Ives, declared the best seaside town by the UK national newspaper the Guardian in 2007; St. Ives is around 50 miles south west of the Eden Project. Another wonderful place to visit is St. Michael's Mount, island fortress with hanging gardens, again around 50 miles south west of the Eden Project.