Eden Project May 2013

Paradise found(rediscovered)?

As a resident of Cornwall during my university terms, I've thought for a long time that I really ought to get round to visiting the Eden Project. My mum came down to visit Cornwall for a few days earlier this week, and she'd also expressed a want to visit, so we decided that we'd pay it a visit...

The Eden Project is built in an old clay pit in between the towns of St Blazey and St Austell. Work began in 1999, and took two and a half years to finish construction. The facility aims to provide environmental education, especially on the relationship between plants and people. 

We arrived at around half 11 on a rather grey and drizzly Wednesday, and set off down a hill towards the entrance. The main entrance complex features a cafe and shop, both of which sell locally sourced food and gifts. 

Having paid, and passed through the entrance complex, we headed down a steep winding path towards the large "biomes" which are huge greenhouse like (but not greenhouses as such) structures which contain artifical habitats inside. 

 The first biome we entered was the "Mediterranean" dome, which housed plants from temperate regions of the world. Firstly, the name "Mediterranean" is misleading, as there are plants here from South Africa and California, as well as Greece and Italy. Succulents such as aloe and cacti are grown here as well as several other temperate species such as olive and citrus trees along with several grasses and other plants adapted for arid conditions. 

This biome also features several sculptures depicting the Greek God Dionysus, the God of wine and merrymaking which are located in the biome's vineyard. 

 

Continuing on from the Mediterranean biome, we entered the Rainforest Biome, the larger of the two. This biome is heated and humid, to replicate a real rainforest. Having visited the rainforest in Ecuador, I certainly felt that the Eden project's rainforest was an excellent reproduction of a steamy jungle. 

The planting is lush and dense, and the high roof allows the trees and plants room to grow upwards, creating a decent canopy. A large waterfall cascades down one side, and runs down through the foliage into a pool. Fruit trees such as fig, mango and bannana are planted throughout, as well as huge clumps of bamboo, and many species of palm. 

 

 The main highlight of the Rainforest biome for me was the raised walkway which allows for amazing views right above the canopy of the whole biome. After climbing up the suspended staircase, there is a large central platform which gives a panoramic view from up above. From up here you can see the biome's tallest tree, the Kapok. 

Another large plant found in the rainforest biome is the Titun Arum (a name coined by Sir David Attenborough incidentally), which grows in the forests of Sumatra and is "a flowering plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world). Basically, it's a plant with a big flower like thing that isn't really a flower, but it's big and when it does flower, it stinks of rotting flesh. Eden's Arum wasn't in flower just yet (though they rekon it will in a few days), and thought they don't consider this years plant to be that big (it's nearly taller than me, at 5'9) however next years plant may possibly break world records.

View from the raised platform

I certainly feel that the rainforest biome is an excellent representation of a tropical rainforest, but I couldn't help thinking that it was missing few things (hordes of buzzing, biting insects for one) and I felt that it could be enhanced by a few butterflies and a smattering of bird species (there are roul roul partridge and a small insectivore bird species roaming the biome, but we didn't see any) to really add a "wild" feel. 

After the two biomes, we headed back outside through the medicinal gardens, and passed WEEE Man, who is a large structure made out of discarded electrical appliances. We then entered "The Core" which focusses on the environment, climate change and sustainability. "The Core" is also home to a huge sculpture of a seed, which represents the building blocks of life. 

The Eden project also hosts "Eden Sessions" which are a series of concerts held in one of the domes. 

All in all, the Eden project is certainly considered a "must see" by many,and I found it a good day out. Having bought a ticket, each visitor can get an annual pass for no extra fee, which allows for free entry for a year. Personally I think this is a pretty good idea, especially as it is rather costly to get in! I'll be heading back sometime early next year to see the new treetops walkway is in the rainforest biome. 

Rainforest biome, Mediterranean biome and The Core