Bio-domed over! (Eden Project (Cornwall))

Member Name: berrydelight

Product:	Eden Project (Cornwall)
Date:	02/08/09 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Incredible place, shows just what can be achieved!

Disadvantages: None

The premise of the Eden Project is that it began and continues to be utilised as an experiment. Built in a disused clay pit, which the majority of planners and developers would have considered waste ground, the experiment began to see whether this ground could be revitalised and turned into something special. They certainly achieved that with 9 million visitors since it first opened in 2001. The Eden Project uses the amazing facilities to experiment with new plants, educating other nations about building sustainable eco systems and developing more ethical methods of farming. The guide book states that it is an experiment in social change and communication, by going your eyes are opened and you become more aware, they want you to report these findings have your ideas provoked and potentially change a nation and so Dooyoo readers I am communicating my experience!

All a very bold and tall task and a place that cannot be missed if your in or going to Cornwall, in my review I hope to give you a taster of what it is like and some pointers to get the most out of your trip.

**Getting There**
Located about 10 minutes off the A30 at and A391 near Bodmin (well sign posted)in the middle of nowhere. It took us 40 minutes to drive from where we stayed outside of Newquay and several bus companies offer return tickets and entry to the site as a package. There is ample car parking space with a free bus that picks you up and drops you off if like us you arrive at lunch time and the last car park is over a mile from the site and you don't fancy walking. Just remember to make a note of where you parked your car. Apparently you can walk and cycle and if you do you get a discounted entry (see below). Frankly due to the remoteness of the location I am not too sure they get many such people and the majority will have to arrive using their environment damaging vehicles....lets collectively lower our heads in shame!

**Cost and booking**
I checked online before we came away in the hope of obtaining a discount, looking back Im glad I didn't as the entry fee does get used for such incredible projects that will benefit generations to come and essentially would be like your cheating your future but if you are inclinedor an avid discount hunter there isn't any! The best I could get was 2000 nectar points gives one adult entry. If your planning ahead I would have used this offer but as we had only three days to go till our trip I knew they wouldn't be dispatched in time. For adults it is £16 each, for walkers/cyclists its £12 and for children its £5 and £8 for students. There is a minor £1 if you buy online. All in all it does have the potential to be a pricey day out. However... you day entry buys you annual membership so if you live in the area you can return again and again which is a fantastic idea!

**The first glimpse**
So you arrive on you bus and you walk under a canopy (the rain began at this point and didn't stop for a further 15 hours as we were in a tent I can tell you precisely when its stopped 4.19am as then was the only time I was able to get any sleep!) and I began to fear the worst as I knew that some if not the majority of the site was outside. However the canopy keeps you covered and you reach the huge ticketing area that is also combined with the shop. We paid and also bought a guide book for £5 which has been a great source of information. Then we stepped outside and nothing could prepare me for the site. I seem to remember forgetting it was raining and just being totally transfixed by what I saw. Yes I have seen the biomes o TV but they are huge, a splinter of sun had peeped out and a rainbow was cast over them. They lunge out of the clay cliffs like some kind of alien life form and are just so different to anything you'll ever see. An incredible feat of engineering and mesmerising to look, a work of modern art in my humble opinion. You are stood on a platform giving you a great view over the whole site with the biomes themselves taking up about half of the total area. As you would expect the array of plants below you is spectacular and we spotted a little train that was taking people under cover to the various areas. Obviously this was really popular and instead we opted to brave the weather and walk through the Zigzag path and head straight for the Rainforest Biome.

**The biodomes**
There are two with the larger being the rainforest biome. It could fit the tower of London inside it is so large and some of the trees are several hundred metres high, the 'sky monkeys' or professional abseilers if you prefer have the enviable task of pruning it all from the roof! The biome is an exploration around the world and countries that have this climate to examine the types of plants and resources we gain from there, the farming methods we use and how our habits are creating a negative and possibly unrecoverable effect on our environment. To begin with the exhibits are light hearted, there is a decent amount of information boards as you enter and the path is a one way system that is easy to follow. But my god! Be prepared because the rainforest biome is at rainforest temperature and rainforest humidity. At first it is decidedly pleasant and a different experience to the torrential and cold rain you can see bouncing of the biomes cushioned roof but after about ten minutes when not even GHD'd hair can stand up to the humidity it begins to feel oppressive and uncomfortable. There are several 'escape' routes throughout the course of the biome and a cool room at the top but I would suggest being prepared and wear layers so you can strip down and take lots of water. We were in there for an hour and a half during which time you can lose a lot of fluids!
There is a waterfall that runs from the top of the biome and brings water throughout the biome and the best bit for me was when the path takes you right up to (there is a lower path which is suggested for people with mobility difficulties as after the waterfall there is plenty of steps but again this is well signed) the waterfall and gives you a nice refreshing drenching! One the way out you come across features on rubber, bananas (there is a smoothie café selling banana and coconut iced smoothies for a £1, delicious!) sugar, coffee and soya and examining the damage it causes to our landscape. I found some of the stuff very poignant and hard hitting, for example they have a patch of excavated and damaged earth which amidst the abundance of plant life is quite a contrast and states that this is land after Soya harvesting, all backing up my personal commitment to eat less meat (earlier review).
The Mediterranean biome is a lot smaller and much more temperate. I didn't find this area as interesting but it was nice to see olive trees and tobacco plants as well as learning about flowers and scents. On that particular day the Czech national choir were singing and although we missed it they run events like that regularly which would really enhance your day. The Med biome also had some very lively inhabitants who seemed to have a habit of pooing very close to visitors as they flew overhead.
Thankfully we were able to wile away a good three hours in the domes and having lunch which meant a dry time for us!

**The café's**
The food here is special! Locally sourced if not grown in the biome, all organic, all low carbon footprint and the choices are fantastic. I was worried it would be extortionate but for a proper lunch with organic free range chicken, biome grown veg and a large plate of Cornish potatoes it would set you back £5.80 which I thought was super reasonable. I opted for a jacket potato with homemade coleslaw for £3.95 from the café. There is also a vegetarian and vegan café based in the The Core and a sit down Mediterranean restaurant next to the Mediterranean biome. A Cornish pasty shop serving up what can only be described as giant pasties and the tastiest looking chips I have ever laid eyes on. The main eating area is very communal and has a lovely bustling atmosphere to it with something to suit everyone.

**Children**
I didn't spend to much time in the visitors centre as walking round really takes it out of you but there seemed to be children walking round the exhibits noting things down and stamping pages of a book they had picked up for free in the visitors centre. I thought this was a good way to engage them as generally speaking it could be a boring day for them wandering through a hot house so I thought making the adult attractions appeal was a great idea. My brief stint in The Core, which is the education hub seemed to offer lots of hands on attractions for them so I certainly think any child would enjoy themselves. Eden project also runs some amazing events through the summer holidays like den building and such an inspiring location would make a great different day out.

**The lasting legacy**
The following figures and facts I have sourced from the guidebook. The Eden Projects effects are far reaching not only because they have taken a useless piece of land and made it into a profitable attraction but because it inspires. The guidebook states that they host 10,000 students each year in their further education programmes looking at environmental principles, sustainable architecture and construction and much more. All your entry fees pays for this work and the charity work that they undertake abroad.
On a much more real tangible level the Eden project is exploring new avenues within its projects to see if by using other crops we can regenerate land damaged by over production and by letting you and me know the things we ca do to help such as making sure our products are sustainably grown. For me it is a must see for everyone.


Down sides
Busy busy busy, we went on a Monday and not during the school holidays the place was heaving, admittedly it as torrential rain so practically every visitor was in the indoor areas but we were having to creep through the biomes behind slow and lingering groups of people who insisted on stopping to stare at every ant they came across (if you've been you'll be aware that the whole place is crawling with the critters, surely once you've seen one ant you've seen them all!) obviously the obligatory end of term school trips were out in force but I imagine over the summer there is never a quiet time to go so be prepared!

I must stress that the environmental message is not patronising or in your face you can skim through it all if you chose and just enjoy the plants and large abundant shop at the end of it if you wish! I definitely think the marketing lines about making you own Eden hold true. Over the summer the Eden Project also runs the Eden sessions which is basically gigs, Oasis were due to play a few days after we went and in such a location would have been incredible so another reason to pay a visit if I haven't convinced you already.

Thanks for reading
© Berrydelight 2009 permission must be granted by author for any use other than Dooyoo

Summary: A must visit attraction