If you are planning on taking a holiday in Cornwall this year then the Eden Project is one attraction you shouldn’t miss. If you’ve ever puzzled over what walking in a tropical rainforest would be like ( without the perilous insects and reptiles ) then you will enjoy the planet’s’s biggest greenhouse. The nearest massive town to the Eden Project is St Austell but there are loads of places nearby to stay should you would like to visit.
The greenhouses are built within a massive clay pit. Although the greenhouses themselves are the primary attraction there are several things to see outside if the weather is appropriate. Once you enter the project you will be met by the two main greenhouses, a bunch of smaller gardens and in a few cases a stage where shows happen throughout the year. You should check the Eden project web site for more information on the location and times of shows before your visit.
The largest greenhouse is the tropical one and this is what most people come to see. As the name says this is where all of the tropical and exotic plants are kept including pineapple plants, coffee and bamboo. Thanks to the environment that these plants require the greenhouse is kept at a warm temperature all year around so make sure you wear light clothes. The Eden Project is kept open across the full year so if you’re visiting on a cold day bring a jumper or coat that can be easily removed.
The second greenhouse is filled with Mediterranean plants. Even though it isn’t quite as sizeable as its tropical counterpart there’s still lots to see within including a selection of plants and sculptures. There is also a relatively new attraction called The Core which is directed at teaching youngsters about the climate, plants and general environmental concerns. The Core building in itself is worth seeing as it’s built in a method to mimic plant life.
Though having a look at plants in a greenhouse might not sound like the most inspiring trip for kids you will be shocked by the amount the Eden Project has to give. Aside from the natural interest that children have in the environment and plants there are plenty of other attractions including play areas and workshops. There’s also The Core which includes hands on experiments and attractions for kids. There’ll always be something for the youngsters to do and they’re certain to enjoy the trip.
The Eden project is certainly worth visiting whether or not you are not staying nearby. If it’s one of the attractions that you definitely want to see then it makes sense to go looking for a holiday cottages in Cornwall that is’s relatively close though. The nearest major city is St Austell but the attraction is inside driving distance of Newquay, Padstow and Bodmin. It’s always a good concept to test the journey time before booking a villa or house though as the journey from the far corner of Cornwall is a long one. This is especially important if you have babies.