One biome is the "Humic Tropics" zone, full of jungle plants including bananas, rubber trees, cocoa, coffee and other exotic vegetation.  Even on a cold day, it's hot inside (in fact, so hot and humid that there are quick-exit points along the trail where you can exit if you need some fresh air).

The other is the "Warm Temperate" biome, a bit cooler, and filled with slightly more familiar plants. Here you can enjoy the sights and scents of the Mediterranean, South Africa and California where plants thrive on drought and poor thin soils. You can discover how water and fertilizers have created the kitchen gardens of the world for your vegetables and wines, fruit and flowers.

Eden is an all-weather attraction, because so much of it is under cover in the biomes.  But there's also plenty more to see outdoors, with spectacular landscaped planting areas (including an amazing bulb display in Spring), and lovely walks to enjoy around the enormous site.

The Eden Project is Cornwall's number one tourist attraction, and whatever else you do on a visit to Devon and Cornwall, is definitely worth including in your itinerary.

It's actually quite hard to describe the Eden Project, because there is so much to it.  But in essence, it's a huge hole in the ground left over from the china clay mining industry, now occupied by two giant (really, really giant) greenhouses known as "biomes". 

Naturally there is also a shop, full of local products, horticultural gifts and plenty more beside.

When hunger strikes, Eden has some really good catering outlets. All of their restaurants and cafés offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options and they don’t knowingly include GM ingredients in any of their food. We particularly like Zzub Zzub (read it backwards - get it?!), which offers delicious, freshly-cooked meals either inside or on the terrace outside.

There's a lot more to Eden than just a tourist attraction. They are also en educational centre, and are a world-class horticultural and environmental research establishment. You can find out more at their excellent website - click here.

Eden is a great place to visit at any time of year.  It does get busy, particularly at weekends, but there's plenty of parking, and plenty of space to absorb the crouds.

nr St Austell                ****

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