The Eden Project has been high up on my list of places that I’d love to visit. Being about 300 miles away from where I live it’s always been a little too far to go on a day trip! Over Christmas though I got my chance. We took off to Cornwall to stay at Coombe Mill for the Christmas break. 10 whole days, and The Eden Project was on my MUST do list!
We booked our ticket online the day before we were due to visit. You get 10% off he ticket price. If it was Summer we’d have opted to go by public transport or bike as you get a further concession on the price too. As it was the darkest day of the year we drove there instead.
There is plenty of car park space and a shuttle bus too and from the entrance. I’ve obviously seen the domes of the Eden Project in pictures so thought we’d spot them really quickly. It’s so clever though as the site is within an old quarry you can’t actually see the main attraction until you step through the ticket entrance on to a viewing platform. Such an awe-inspiring view when you do see it:
I have probably not done the place justice in my photos but if you watch my video a bit later in the post it might help. We went in the Rainforest Biome first and it was amazing. Such a variety of lush green plants and vegetation. The odd bird floating around too. Which of course the Robot loved to say duck duck at.
Throughout the walk ways you get little snippets of information and art work. I really loved these totem poles by the West African sculptor El Anatsui. Totally worthy of a spot on the blog:
The many different levels in the Biome surprised me. The walkways weave around the Rainforest very cleverly. As you head up into the heights of the trees you get a real sense of what a real Rainforest would look like. If you’re feeling particularly daring you can head up into the rooftops on to the viewing platform you can see just above my head here:
The steps wobble as you go up them but when you get to the top you feel like you are in the sky! It was awesome perspective on the place. Over all the Rainforest was my favourite section of the Eden project.
Before lunch we headed into the Mediterranean biome where we sat on a bench and watched the visitors walk by. It was a perfect opportunity to let the Robot just have a bit of a wander about poking the plants. I think because we’ve been to the med before this biome wasn’t as fascinating. It was a nice place to relax though.
We had lunch at the Eden Project in their restaurant. It was tasty and reasonably priced. There isn’t a lot on the menu though, the Robot had pizza off my plate and we’d packed him a little snack pot or two to keep him fed. However there was a kids menu.
After lunch we headed outside to explore the gardens. We wanted to do the whole project and caught the road train back up to the main entrance so that we could walk back down the Earthly Treasures slopes. There were lots of fun entertaining bits that we and the Robot could play with on the way.
The Robot pretty much walked all of it so you can imagine how long it took with an 18 month old but it was definitely a great way to spend the afternoon. December drizzle!
We went at Christmas so there was a grotto and ice skating rink available. We didn’t bother with this as the Robot was content with the tractor.
Before we left we went to explore The Core, an educational section. We spent quite a while in here because of the seed exhibit. A giant carved seed the the Robot loved to run around. This features at the end of the video.
Overall we had an amazing day and it is truly amazing. A Summer visit must make it a very different experience so if we’re ever in Cornwall in the Summer I’ll request to go again. I still can’t quite believe how hidden away it is!
Have you ever been to the Eden Project? Let me know what you thought!
We visited Eden Project this Summer…on the wettest day of the year! Still lots to see indoors…and very sweaty in that dome! Glad you had a great day..
#CountryKidsFun
I can imagine it’s hot in the dome. I liked the cool rooms they had dotted around!
It looks like you had a fab time exploring the Eden Project, it is a wonderful place to explore especially with little ones. Over the years it has grown so much, I definitely advise another trip there if you’re ever back down here, you’ll find lots of new and undiscovered parts! I love the video of The Robot running around the seed sculpture, it looks like he really enjoyed himself.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
Coombe Mill recently posted…Country Kids 7th January 2017
Ha ha thanks Fiona, yes he had a wail of a time exploring and we just let him go where he pleased. One tired boy at the end of the day. I’d definately go back for a summer visit because I bet there will be more plants and things to see. 🙂
Haven’t been there myself, by definitely looks worth a visit! And I can imagine it being even more enticing in the spring/summer. Looks like the Robot had a lovely time too! Lots of things to explore x #countrykids
Josefine recently posted…A day spent in Copenhagen
I’ve always been intrigued about what there is to see and do here – I love the look of the rainforest dome best too #countrykids
cheryl pasquier recently posted…Fab freebies of the week 7/1
I’ve always wanted to visit the Eden Project because it looks like the sort of thing we would all really enjoy. It’s a shame it’s so far away from us (300miles plus as well!), but one day I will get there! #countrykids
Ha ha, thats always how I felt too! It took us 11 hours to drive home from Cornwall!
The Eden Project is our go-to place too, even though it’s about an hours drive from where we live. It’s so much worth it, isn’t it? Glad you guys enjoyed the visit 🙂 #countrykids.
Oh yes, if I lived an hour away I’d have definately been sooner.
I had not hear of the Eden Project (I live in Texas). It looks like an amazing place to visit. How neat to step out of the wintry weather into such lush greenery. Robot looks like he had a great time exploring. Happy New Year! #countrykids
We got to The Eden Project at Christmas as well. The laser show in the evening wa a magical. It’s such an awesome place and I’m glad you were able to experience it while you were in Cornwall #countrykids
Claire at Tin Box Traveller recently posted…A perfect winter holiday with children at Bosinver, Cornwall
We completely timed our visit wrong, we got up early and went early so by mid afternoon we had to leave. I would have liked to see the laser show but to see it as it was anyway was pretty special!
It’s wonderful there isn’t it. My son loved every minute of our trip the the gardens when we stayed at Coombe Mill the Easter before last. Not sure it would be quite so pleasurable with the summer crowds #CountryKids
Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One recently posted…Project 365 2017 Week 1
We went to the Eden Project several years ago but are planning to go again this year as we’re that way for a holiday. Looks like you all had a great time exploring #CountryKids
Sherry recently posted…The Gruffalo at Alice Holt Forest
We love the Eden project, a fantastic place to explore. looks like you all enjoyed it x
karen recently posted…2016 – A Year Of Outdoor Adventures
This really does seem like one of those must visit places. I have only ever seen it on a DVD that I had from before, but it really is fascinating. I’ve always imagined it to be very very hot in summer though? It looks like you had a fantastic visit, I have enjoyed reading all about your amazing Christmas! #countrykids
chocolateandwineandillbefine recently posted…Our Boxing Day Walk
Thank you. Yes I imagine it would be too hot in summer. They have cold rooms that you can go in inside the biomes to cool down and water fountains dotted about. It must get really hot. Add it to your wish list of places to visit. It’s awesome!
Yay I love Eden, its very local to me! It’s an awesome place to go in the Summer when they have the Eden Sessions there, plenty of live music, food and drink. So glad you have got the chance to go and visit with R. xx
RACHEL BUSTIN recently posted…Book Review: The Giant and the Three Dwarves
Looks like you had an amazing time. I’ve always wanted to visit the Eden Project but it’s about 400 miles away from us so we’ll have to wait until we can afford a holiday! #countrykids
You win in miles distance away. It might be better to fly and hire a car to visit Cornwall! lol.
I always think the Eden Project looks fab. I really want to go, but haven’t managed the trip to Cornwall yet. #countrykids
Emma T recently posted…Living Arrows 2017 week 2 – gappy smiles
This is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. It looks like you have had an absolutely wonderful trip #CountryKids
I’ve wanted to visit this place for years. I am hoping we get to visit it soon. Looks like you had an interesting time.
That sounds like an amazing day out. I’ve never been to the Eden Project but it’s on my list of places to visit at some point. The rainforest biome sounds particularly interesting – especially with the walkways at different heights 🙂 #countrykids
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I imagine it will suit your little family down to the ground and back again! It’s such an amazing place.