Lost Gardens of Heligan or Eden project with toddling boys?

[Gentleness]

We're near there on holiday soon and I like to dream about our perfect blue-sky days and tantrum-free excursions...

And in reality, we have a nearly 3yr-old who's timid and full of imagination and a 1yr old who is into everything with no sense of danger or caution.

We'd like to avoid spending (as much as we can), so that's another reason for planning ahead!

Any advice? Or anything else nearby that we could look out for?

Eden project is expensive. Dunno what Heligan prices are like these days. Both destinations much of a muchness for children I'd say, unless it's raining in which case Eden has way more under cover. Eden also has much more dedicated kids stuff, but they can do plenty of poking around exploring at Heligan also...

Heligan. It's very interesting, has some amazing sculptures and sits that will please your 3yo, and they can run around (supervised). We loved the wild and magical atmosphere. Eden, while big and impressive is tourist hell - massive car parks, overpriced everything, and annoyingly preachy exhibits.

That's sights not sits!

I always feel like I'm missing the point at the Eden project.

Wow - thanks for the fast replies! We're going out of season (end of June) so that may help the busyness a bit, but not liking the sound of overpriced everything at all...

Heligan is £10 each for adults, with Eden at £Twenty-flippin'-three... It would have to be very worth it to justify that. I'm a stingy woman.

Is there anything under shelter at Heligan?

Hmm don't remember much shelter, but it's still nicer - take umbrellas!

DS has been to both of them twice now, and he absolutely loves them. We used tesco vouchers for Eden (Very expensive now, and personally wouldn't pay that much to get in).

There is shelter at Eden (obviously) but if it's raining then it will be heaving. Both are places for sunny days IMO.

Heligan is beautiful and absolutely worth the money. There are lots of little bits to explore and it's brilliant for small children. Avoid the long walk round though with two little ones. There isn't really anything under shelter - only go when sunny otherwise you'll be miserable. Take packed lunches as the food is £££ and not brilliant IMO.

Go to Pendennis Castle - lots undercover and it's reasonably cheap. Great view across the sea too.

I'd say heligan as I seem to miss the point of Eden too! Plus its hot in Eden which might be uncomfy for the little ones. I thought Eden was ok but not justified by the price.

Heligan. We went in May and it was beautiful.

I didn't get Eden either. I wouldn't bother going back.

I love Heligan & think Eden is OK (apart from for concerts and then it's fab!).

Personally would do both - Eden is always good for a rainly day activity
Heligan is very open so not great in rubbish weather

Eden, my 4 yo wasn't that impressed, similar reaction from his cousins. There wasn't that much for an energetic boy other than wondering round looking at plants.

heligan. Eden is uncomfortably hot at the top cue tantrum. Also Bedruthen Steps - pirate caves ahoy.

ps with heligan you can get year passes for not much more that let you into Kew Gardens too, if you're near there?

PIRATE CAVES! Ok, how did I not find out about pirate caves in all my research?Definitely going to check them out!

We always stay a Mawgan Porth, it's a fab beach with an inlet, so simply buy a bodyboard and watch the little play... also nice shop and restaurant opposite and crazy golf. Enjoy x

Neither much fun for a 3 year old. Look at flambards near Heston.

I disagree - DS went to both when he was 2.5 and again when he was 3.5 (because he loved them so much).

Only just noticed more replies here - thanks for all the info everyone - most kind! Now I'm off to check the weather forecast and hope for Heligan in the sunshine!

Just popping back to say the Lost Gardens of Heligan were BRILLIANT! Great for both kids because we actually had dry weather and even the crawler could pelt around the lawns. We had great fun hunting dinosaurs in the jungle!