The Eden Project

[Yamadori]

Hi all, I will be in Cornwall the week after next, and was wondering whether anyone has been to the Eden Project recently? The only person I know who has been wasn't impressed, but I think she was expecting it to be like Kew Gardens. I'm keen on conservation and unusual tropical (and other) plant & tree species, but it does cost rather a lot to get in. I will either be with DH or go without him, depending on whether I think he'll get bored.

I think it’s well worth going. Because it’s an impressive place. Problem is it hasn’t really moved with the times and it’s now very outdated and showing it’s age.

Been several times (live in Cornwall) but not been for a while.

It is impressive but nothing like Kew but from what you say in your OP I think you would find it interesting.

Personally I prefer the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Thanks @DobbyTheHouseElk I'll go then. It's always been somewhere I have wanted to visit, but have never had the opportunity before. Cornwall is just too damn far away from here. That A30 <shudders at the memory>

Thanks @TonTonMacoute - yes, there's plenty of RHS & other gardens between us and them if that's what I wanted. It is definitely the conservation and habitat angle that interests me really.

My DP works with nature so he’s really keen to go but I’m worried I’ll be a bit bored 😳 I love gardens and gardening but can’t get excited about this.

Live in Cornwall. Eden is past its best, even if there was a best.

Went many years ago
the ticket then was valid for the whole year which was lucky as
on the last day I asked everyone what they wanted to do and they all wanted to go back

I've been 3 times
Once when it was new, it was fabulous
Once about 10 years ago, it was meh
Once a couple of months ago. It was awful.

For me its the cost, if you prebook it is still nearly £40 a ticket (I looked very hard for special offers)
It's just.. unloved, the first time i went there were interactive displays all about the environments and plants you were seeing, birds and insects in the domes, it was a full day out.

Now its just a greenhouse and environmental lecturing

Annoyingly I didn't want to go Once I saw the price this time around, I went because my partner hadn't been. Afterwards he said he realised why I tried to talk.him out of it 😁

Apparently the lost gardens of helgian are much better

I would recommend Heligan over Eden.

Much more to explore. However neither are great on a rainy day. Yes Eden has the biomes but it’s hell on a wet day as everyone goes there.

Thanks all, food for thought then.

I live in the south west. If you think the A30 is a bad road….you wouldn’t have liked it pre the A30. Personally, I think it’s a fantastic road. Not sure why you are shuddering.

It's magical for kids.you can always add in the zip wire stuff if you get bored of stuff.but you can't really get bored there,there's a rainforest!

If you can go on a Saturday morning, register for parkrun (if not already registered) and get in for free after parkrun. We did this last year, my DH and I are parkrunners but we also took DH’s parents and one of them walked parkrun & one spectated, then we all spent about 3-4 hrs in Eden afterwards for free. Great day out.

Visited Heligan and The Eden Project 5 years ago after wanting to visit for a long time. Eden was disappointing. Went to Heligan the same week and it was well worth the wait! Found Eden all a bit preachy and self congratulatory.

The tropical biome is quite an impressive thing TBH, especially if you like exotic plants.

Agree with previous posters that it’s very tired everywhere else. And expensive.

Heligan is fine but also expensive to get in. If you’re looking for a subtropical valley garden they are 10 a penny down here. Would recommend Glendurgan over Heligan if you’re a NT member.

The last time I went that far down it was in 1986. Perhaps it is a bit better now!

We used Tesco vouchers many moons ago to go to the Eden project - can you still do that?

I must admit, it wasn’t really our thing. As we left, we heard people saying they spent six hours there. We’d spent under three, and that included having lunch and doing an activity in the tent- thing, and watching an act.

We went in summer 2023 and loved it, make sure you get there fairly early as it's a fully day out, we were there around 6-7 hours.
My top tip would be to wear something loose and cool, it's very very warm in the tropical biome!

We went to Heligan last summer and it's beautiful there, definitely try and do both if you're in that area for a little while.

Live in between Eden & Heligan and would say Heligan has much more to offer. Eden now well past its best. Pricing themselves out of the market.

Well now I'm torn... I can't do both. And the Eden Project has been on my 'List Of Places I Must Visit' for a very long time.

Last time I went to Cornwall Eden was still a quarry pit, and Heligan was still waiting to be found.

If you've only got time for one, I'd vote Eden.
Heligan is gorgeous but there are similar places elsewhere in the UK, eden is one of a kind.

Hope you have a lovely time whichever you choose.

If doing Eden, look out for the daily tale maker and explainer tours, there's usually a couple a day with different focus topics and areas.
Plan to arrive earlier in the day to join these and it'll enhance your experience. Timings are published daily in the visitor centre where you check in.

Top tip for everyone, If you buy annual membership to The Newt in Somerset, you can visit Eden Project, Heligan, Kew, Chatsworth, The Newt, and about 5 other beautiful gardens all year. It's £60 so you easily make your money back and much more. https://thenewtinsomerset.com/plan-your-visit/

It’s very different now to back then. I can easily get from the M5 exit to Truro in just under 2 hours.

They’re just completing works on duelling another stretch from Carland to Chiverton.

(God bless the old Chivvy Cross roundabout and all who had a knock on it! 😁)

🤣 1986? You won't recognise the A30. You'll be fine! That said, travelling into or out of Cornwall on Fridays and Saturdays is a big mistake, but you may have no control over change-over days.

1. Eden is a big waste of money. I've always found it preachy as well. I'm good with actively caring for the environment, but Eden gets on my nerves. Only ever go there for concerts - it's fab for those (if it isn't raining!)
2. Heligan is lovely.
3. I don't know how far you're willing to travel but down Helston way there's some beautiful gardens. Specifically Trebah Gardens. Better than Heligan; it has quite a tropical mini-climate there by the Helford River.