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The Eden Project and Clay Country

Just a collection of plants then?! ...Try again!

Image Courtesy of South West Tourism

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"The Eighth wonder of the world....?"
"The living theatre of plants and people....?"

Don't dismiss the hype... for once its fully justified! You just cannot visit the Eden Project without being amazed at the sheer magnitude of it all. This incredible project is awesome from the moment you arrive on the rim of the former clay pit and gaze over the immense domed biomes.

With each biome big enough to hold the entire Tower of London, at first glance it looks like you have stumbled across an alien colony here on earth. The Eden Project is rightly top of most people's list of things to see in Cornwall and our trips by foot or by bike get you to the heart of the project as it should be done - in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

What's more, whilst the rest of the visitors struggle through the jams on the roads, we take you on traffic free cycle trails, through some of the most fantastic scenery in the county, from river valleys and estuaries, stunning beaches and the surreal lunar landscape of Clay Country.

Read on for more information about why you must not miss the opportunity to visit this amazing spectacle or click onto the links below to find out what other attractions and activities you can enjoy on the way here.

And... if you have visited before..... don't miss out on how Eden is evolving - no two visits will ever be the same. Different seasons bring completely new plants and panoramas. New and exciting projects, displays and events keep Eden a vibrant and ever changing attraction.

The new Education Centre opened in September 2005 and plans are well underway for the new arid zone biome. From the wintertime ice festivals where you can skate on a rink under the biomes to the concerts, gigs and parties on the turfed arena in the summer there is always something on at Eden and you should never feel you've seen it all!

Highlights of Eden

The Eden Project was conceived in 1994 by Tim Smit, who was also responsible for recovering the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Project aims to visually present a story of man's dependence on plants. Constructed in a huge clay pit crater 60 meters deep, the Eden Project opened to the public on 17th March 2001 and by June 2001 the millionth visitor had passed through the gates.

From the entrance to the attraction, gaze in awe at the spectacle in front of you. You can see it all laid before you, a stunning panorama of crops, flower beds and terraces surrounding vast Biomes, the largest Conservatories in the world.

Wandering through carved driftwood sculptures and blankets of flowers, the Outdoor Biome includes not only endangered and unusual plants from Cornwall but plantations of hemp, tea, hops and other flora from temperate parts of the world that share a similar climate to our own.

The steeper slopes are designed to resemble areas such as the prairies and the terraces of Chile. Over 300,000 daffodil bulbs bloom from early March to May- bulb mania in all its glory.

The Humid Tropics Biome

The Humid Tropics Biome, is a steamy journey into the rainforests. Tall enough to accommodate trees from the tropical rainforests it will still take 50 years for the mahogany trees to reach the roof of this amazing dome.

Inside, kept humid by its own integral waterfall and river, are over 1,000 weird and wonderful plant species from the likes of Malaysia, West Africa, South America and the Pacific Tropical Islands. In the controlled environment insects, butterflies and lizards patrol amongst palms and bananas, rubber trees, rice, cocoa, coffee, sugar, pineapples and bamboo.

The Warm Temperate Biome

Representing the Mediterranean regions, parts of California, Australia and South Africa. Plants in the Warm Temperate Biome include the tobaccos, maize, and cottons of the Americas with the grape vines, olives, peppers and lush fruits of the Mediterranean.

Other Eden

Eden is also about education, research and sustainability. Throughout the project the fab food and drink centres, gift shop and visitor facilities are committed to recycling, sustainable development and supporting local communities across the globe.

Everywhere you go in Eden, you will find the references to the Global Community we live in along with evidence of the endless array of cultures and environments that this community represents.

Play your part in all this by visiting this fantastic monument to the world we live in, its diversity and its beauty, and continue on your way by bike or on foot for a truly sustainable and inspiring visit.

Visiting Eden with Encounter Cornwall

We have all the options for an inspiring, alternative and sustainable trip to Eden where the journey there or back is so much more in itself. What's more if you visit the project on our walking or cycling trips you not only get to enjoy the traffic free Clay Trails and other attractions in the surrounding area, but by arriving in a environmentally friendly way, you also receive a £3.00 discount on entry, access to free lockers and bike storage and use of the fast track entry scheme, leaving the rest of the visitors far behind in the traffic queues on the main approach roads.

Click here for our Cycling Home Page, which will introduce you to the fantastic day trips to Eden returning by bike through some of the best cycle routes in the Fowey Valley and indeed the South West itself. For those in for a real trip through Cornwall, our unique 2 day Coast to Coast pedals take you across the county stopping off at Eden on the second day with plenty of time for a visit before heading off on the Clay Trails to the coast at Mevagissey.

Our Short Breaks page gives details on our stunning 3 day walking trips along the Coast Path or across the heart of Cornwall on the Saints Way footpath, both with the option to walk to and spend the best part of your second day exploring the project before hitting the trail once more for the coastal port of Fowey.

Or visit our Walking home page for information on our Eden trip day walk, taking you back to your accommodation through the surrounding hills and valleys after your visit to Eden.

Whatever you choose, with Encounter Cornwall all your transport, route planning and activities are arranged for you. All you need to do is be ready to pedal and wander and enjoy.

Other Highlights of Clay Country

Opened in 2005 the brand new Clay Trails which surround the Eden area are a stunning set of traffic free paths exploring the wild lunar landscapes of white tipped clay peaks, mica dams and peaceful lakes - a legacy of the china clay industry which has operated here since 1746 and now a unique wilderness supporting new habitats for wildlife surrounding the Eden Project.

Three trails - with more to come - link Eden with St Austell, Par Beach and points to the north of the project and we make use of them all on our trips. From woodland and heathland, past remote lakes and abandoned valleys, the signposted trails are fully maintained, constructed using recycled mining materials and perfect for cyclists and walkers.

The St Austell trail passing the stunning views at Carn Grey Rocks and the mica dams at Scredda, gives you the option to drop in to the newly developed Wheal Martyn China Clay Heritage Centre for a stop for refreshments and a fascinating look at the history of the area you are pedalling through. Linking on to St Austell by an old railway line this route is used by us on the trail to Mevagissey and gives a fantastic day riding, 90% on off road trail.

Be amongst the first to cycle these fantastic routes and make your entrance to Eden without battling with the other cars on overcrowded main roads.

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