What Is the Eden Project?
The Eden Project is a large-scale environmental attraction set within a 160-metre-deep reclaimed china clay pit at Bodelva, just outside St Austell in mid-Cornwall. At its centre are two enormous geodesic biomes — greenhouse structures unlike anything else in the world — that between them house the largest indoor rainforest in existence and a vast Mediterranean-climate garden. Beyond the biomes, outdoor gardens, sculptures, an ice rink in winter and a zip wire above the pit add further layers to what is, on any measure, a seriously ambitious day out.
It opened in 2001 and was the brainchild of Tim Smit, the same visionary behind the restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The project was conceived as a living laboratory and a demonstration of humanity's dependence on plants, but it was also designed from the outset to be accessible, entertaining and emotionally engaging for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. That ambition has, by most accounts, been achieved. Millions of people have visited since opening, and the site continues to evolve, with new exhibits, events and facilities added regularly.
For families visiting Cornwall, the Eden Project sits comfortably alongside a beach day or a coastal walk as one of the most reliably rewarding days out the county offers — not least because it works in any weather. On a warm summer day the outdoor gardens are at their best; on a grey or drizzly afternoon the biomes provide a genuinely warm, green, scented escape that feels almost miraculous in the context of a Cornish October.
The Rainforest Biome
The Rainforest Biome is the larger of the two structures and the one that tends to produce the most audible reactions from first-time visitors. Stepping through the entrance doors, you move immediately into a world of dense tropical planting, high humidity, the sound of running water and air that feels noticeably warmer and more fragrant than anything outside. The structure is vast — 55 metres high at its tallest point, wide enough to contain the Tower of London — and the planting fills every metre of it with purpose.
The biome is organised into distinct geographic zones representing different tropical regions of the world, including West Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Plants are labelled clearly and contextualised with explanations of their uses, history and importance — rubber trees, cocoa plants, banana palms, coffee bushes and an enormous range of species that most British visitors have never encountered in their natural form. For children who have only ever seen these plants as products on supermarket shelves, the effect can be quietly revelatory.
A raised walkway spirals upward through the canopy level, offering elevated views back down through the layered planting and across the full sweep of the biome. This is one of the best vantage points in the whole site and should not be missed. At the top, a viewing platform gives a sense of the sheer scale of the structure and looks out through the transparent panels to the pit walls and sky beyond. The walkway is wide and well-maintained, but parents of very young children in buggies should be aware that the incline is steep in places — staff can advise on the most buggy-accessible routes through the biome.
🌿 Rainforest Tip: Pack a light layer to wear inside the Rainforest Biome if you are visiting with babies or very young children — the humidity is high and the heat can catch small people out. For older children, the heat and strangeness of the environment tends to be part of the appeal. Bring water bottles; there are refill points throughout the site.
The Mediterranean Biome
The Mediterranean Biome is somewhat cooler and drier than its neighbour, but no less impressive in its scope. It houses plants from the Mediterranean basin itself — southern France, Italy, Greece, North Africa — alongside those from California and South Africa, all regions that share a similar warm, dry-summer climate. The overall effect is of a sun-baked Provençal hillside translated into a giant greenhouse in Cornwall, which is as delightful as it sounds.
Olive trees, citrus groves, lavender beds, grape vines and cork oaks fill the space, alongside a working winery area and displays on the history of Mediterranean agriculture and culture. The smells in this biome are particularly striking — warm earth, citrus blossom and lavender combine into something that feels genuinely transportive on a grey Cornish day. Children tend to engage well with the grape vines and olive trees, both of which prompt good conversations about where food comes from and how it is produced.
The Mediterranean Biome also houses a range of seasonal exhibitions and art installations, which vary throughout the year. It is worth checking the Eden Project website in advance to see what is currently showing, as these installations can add significantly to the experience, particularly for older children and teenagers.
The Outdoor Gardens
Beyond the biomes, the outdoor gardens spread across much of the pit floor and up towards the rim in a series of themed planting areas that follow the seasons through the year. In spring the pit sides are dotted with wild flowers; in summer the outdoor areas burst into full colour with sunflowers, tea plants, hemp, hops and a rotating programme of crops and ornamental planting; in autumn the colours shift and the sculptural elements of the landscape come more prominently into view.
Several large outdoor sculptures are scattered throughout the gardens, and a programme of temporary art installations means there is almost always something new to discover. The pit itself is a remarkable landscape — its sheer walls of pale clay and rock provide a dramatic backdrop to the planting, and looking up from the floor of the pit to the sky above gives a vivid sense of the extraordinary engineering achievement that created the site.
For families with energetic children, the outdoor areas provide the most opportunity for free-ranging exploration. The paths are generally wide and well-surfaced, though some sections involve significant uphill walking — comfortable shoes are advisable and the site itself recommends against high heels, which gives some indication of the terrain involved. A land train operates on most days, running a circuit of the outdoor areas for visitors who prefer not to walk the full site.
The Zip Wire
One of the more unexpected additions to the Eden Project in recent years is a zip wire that runs across the pit, offering riders a bird's-eye view of the biomes and gardens from above. It is operated by Hangloose Adventure and requires a separate booking and fee from general admission. Riders must be at least ten years old and meet minimum weight requirements. For families with older children who are comfortable with heights, it is a genuinely exhilarating addition to the day and provides a perspective on the site that is available no other way. Booking in advance online is strongly recommended, as slots fill quickly during school holidays.
What's On for Younger Children
The Eden Project has invested considerably in its offer for younger visitors and it shows. Throughout the year there are dedicated children's activity areas, storytelling sessions, nature trails and craft workshops, many of which are included in the general admission price. The programme changes seasonally and is listed in full on the Eden website and at the information points throughout the site.
The outdoor play area near the main entrance is a well-designed natural play space with climbing structures, water features and areas for digging and exploring that work well for children aged