Eden Project

[BettyBoop]

Ive swapped my nectar points for free entry into the Eden Project at Cornwall for when we go next week............has anyone already visited it??

[Beate]

Yep, it's quite good (the little train running around the site is cute) but I couldn't enter the tropical tent as it was too hot for me. They have a zip-wire thing as well which costs extra.

[BettyBoop]

Yep, it's quite good (the little train running around the site is cute) but I couldn't enter the tropical tent as it was too hot for me. They have a zip-wire thing as well which costs extra.

Thanks for that Beate, are most things free once you are in? Was hoping i could get away with a packed picnic and have a fairly cheap day of it. Any tips?

[Beate]

I can't really remember to be honest, there isn't much else apart from the domes and the zip-wire and a restaurant - it's just a lot of nature!

[BettyBoop]

did you go on the zip wire??

[Beate]

No, too scared...

[BettyBoop]

With me hurting my back in the car crash...I have a get out clause! lol

[large marge]

I was there about 5 years ago - enjoyed it but there did seem to be cash registers at every corner, so taking a packed lunch & drinks is a good idea. Walking around & through the glasshouses is included and it is fairly impressive - worth the visit. Expect it to be packed though. I was a little disappointed that the whole thing wasn't as self-sustaining as I'd been led to believe. But then as a horticulturist who works in glasshouses, I suppose I'd be more hypercritical than most! Don't know about the 'zip wire'. This wasn't there when I was there & there was also talk at that time of another dome to be built. Also don't know about any parking fees - we had our caravan at a site about 1/2 mile away and walked there.
Lots of interesting stuff there though...so enjoy yourself & tell us all about it! Also worth a visit in the vicinity is the Lost Gardens of Heligan - nice and not quite as busy.

PS You driving there?

[lucky_charm]

I went when I was younger, maybe about 14? Which would be 5-6 years ago now, so my memory of it is rather fuzzy! I remember that I really enjoyed it but I also remember it being very busy. I generally find botanic gardens and things quite interesting, and the Eden Project is probably the best place to go for all things plant-lifey, I remember being in awe of the scale of the place. I also remember there being some interactive exhibits and stuff as well but that might have been at the information centre. I'm pretty sure we took a picnic- we usually do- so I'm sure there will be places to sit and eat food you brought with you, but as other people might have the same idea, if you find a picnic spot it's probably a good idea to bag it early! Hope you have a fantastic time!

[BettyBoop]

Well we went to the Eden Project on the sunniest days of our holiday and I really do feel so pleased about that. When we got there we were directed to a park and ride car park about 1/2 mile away and bused to the Eden Project for free. My kids were particually impressed with the bendy bus that took us. When we got into the actual Eden Project the queues were quite big for people p*ying for tickets on the day, but as we already had tickets (coutesy of Nectar points) we got straight through. They did try to flog us 2 guide books £5 for the adult guide and £4 for the childrens interactive guide. The cashier send to my husband when he produced our tickets "would you like the guide books?" and he said yes please and she said "That will be £9 please sir!"..........lol the expression on his face was priceless! lol

The theme they are running at the moment it summer survival...a back to basics type of thing. My boys got to build a den out of bamboo sticks and tarpoling and rope. As a reward when they had built their den we had our picnic inside....they boys loved this, then we got to build rafts and had a competition over whose raft was most unsinkable! I think I won this one!

The biome's where excellent....the first one we went to was the tropical rainforest dome. I was very impressed with the scale of this, and the heat inside was unbearable. I was very please we all had shorts and tshirts on. There was a waterfall in the centre of this biome and this was so refreshing to stand in front of! The second biome was the Meditarrian dome and this was like stepping into a spainish village...excellent I really couldnt fault the place.

The only money we actually spent on the day was for a pack of batteries for our camera at £6 in the souvienr shop! But I did see a till on every corner. My boys were so entertained with all the activities and our luxury picnic that id taken with me they never gave a thought to asking for more. So all in I would would definately recommend the place. Its was very beautiful and we were so thankful we had nice weather for it because that definately made all the difference.

Anyways enough blabbering on from me xx