The Eden Project, Cornwall
In the late 1990s, a small group of people set themselves a seemingly impossible task – to turn an exhausted, steep-sided clay pit 60 metres deep, with no soil, 15 metres below the water table into a lush garden using regenerated soil and rainwater. Over 20 years later, the dream is a reality and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to visit The Eden Project outside of St. Austell (and just up the road from where I’ve been housesitting).
The pit is huge! And so are the geodesic domes.
Paths leading down to the domes pass through a variety of areas dedicated to different microclimates with plants from around the world.
Even in winter, there are plants blooming and artwork complements nature.
The largest dome is dedicated to rainforest plants. It’s lush and green with such an amazing variety of trees and plants as well as a stream and pond.
The path leads up and up until you’re walking at the level through the forest canopy.
The smaller dome is dedicated to plants that thrive in a Mediterranean climate. It’s less showy than the rainforest but the air is sweetly scented by plants such as rosemary.
There are rugged old olive trees and a variety of plants from around the world.
The Eden Project prides itself on operating as sustainably as possible. My delicious lunch is just one example – real plates and cutlery and locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Please note: they’ve left the skins on the mashed potatoes so nothing is wasted
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