EdenProject

A clay pit transformed

A living landscape built around plants and people

Eden opened in 2001 inside a former china clay pit near St Austell. Its huge covered Biomes and extensive outdoor gardens bring together plants, landscapes and stories from different climates.

The site is large and sloping. A broad visit can take around four hours, so choose priorities before travelling and leave time for the paths between the Biomes, gardens and Visitor Centre.

The two Biomes are the heart of the site. The Rainforest Biome recreates a warm, humid world under the largest greenhouse structure of its kind, with a canopy walkway that lifts you into the treetops. The Mediterranean Biome is drier and calmer, with olive groves, citrus and seasonal colour.

Outside, the gardens and artworks spread across the slopes of the former clay pit, shaped by the enormous earthworks that created the site. The scale is part of the experience: paths wind between the Biomes and down towards the Visitor Centre, and the views back across the pit show just how much ground was moved.

Because the two Biomes are under cover, Eden is one of the best things to do in Cornwall on a rainy day or in winter. Wear shoes with grip for the outdoor paths, which are steep when wet.

Eden also runs exhibitions, seasonal events and winter ice skating. Check what is on before you go, because the programme often adds something extra to a visit, especially in the school holidays.

Because the site is large and sloping, plan around four hours, more if you are visiting with children or booking into an event. The official access guide explains the routes, the shuttle and the wheelchairs available on site.