A visit to The Eden Project.
| Wet weather rating |
**** There is lots of cover in the Eden Project centre |
| Family Rating |
*** The Eden Project is fascinating for all but the very small |
| Travel Rating |
easy; direct train, then a bus ride (the bus station is beside the railway) |
| Journey Time |
40 minutes by train and then a bus ride (journey time presently unknown) |
| Comments |
The Eden Project, a constantly evolving scheme is very worthwhile as a visit. There
is a bus service promised in Summer 2001 linking St Austell station with the Eden project,
and this trip is written in anticipation of this. However you may walk from Par station and
directions are roughly sketched below, but you will need the guidance of an OS Landranger
Map 200 or OS Explorer 107.
|
| Sundays |
May be suitable on Sundays depending on the bus service provided |
The Eden Project hopes to combine ecological education with the preservation of many species
of exotic plants laid out in specially designed biomes; huge glass domes kept at just the
right temperature for the plants. The idea is the brain child of Tim Schmit, who discovered
(and then very successfully promoted) The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
The Eden Project is one of Cornwall's top attractions. It provides "a year round programme with live music, trails, story telling, talks and workshops to put champagne into your veins and ideas into your head." Each summer it hosts "The Eden Sessions", featuring live performances from top-name acts. Artists such as Lily Allen, Muse, Amy Winehouse, The Magic Numbers and many more have performed in recent years. In the winter months an ice rink is built on site where you can skate for a small charge.
Beside the biomes, there is also an interactive visitors centre with lots of interesting displays relating to our use of the planet, of plants and plant folklore, of transport and medicine, all displayed in an artistic and innovative way. There is a short tunnel with all
things rubber in it, a house that questions what we use and eat, a mechanical show in which
our reliance on nature is demonstrated by the gradual removal of all things organic from
an occupied living room. All around the walls are interesting things to read and there are
many small fascinating displays that compliment the larger exhibits.
A restaurant sells a variety of organic foods, and there is the inevitable gift shop for all
kinds of interesting oils and vinegar among other things. The site itself is an old clay pit,
and the story behind its conversion is very interesting and shown on a video screen in the
visitors centre.
The contact number for The Eden Project is 01726 811911, the fax is 01726 811912.
If you do wish to incorporate a walk we can recommend the route we took from Par station
which is outlined below. Do use an OS map as some details are a little sketchy due to the
new paths being created over the Eden site, and also the route across the park behind Par
station was not very clear.
From Par station;
Go out of the station and turn left onto the road that leads over the railway. After the
bridge you may wish to find your way through the park to cut of the corner created by the
road, or alternatively stay on this road for about half a mile, until you reach a junction
with the Par to Newquay branch line. Cross the line and immediately afterwards take the
footpath on the right that runs alongside the railway and follow it for about quarter of
a mile. Turn left near a sports field to rejoin the A3082, turn right and after a few yards
the road meets the A390. Cross the road and walk up beside the church. A footpath from here
takes you up an old lane and across a field to Cornhill Farm. Turn left along this little
lane and walk for about half a mile until you reach a T junction. Turn right here and walk
up this road for about a mile, then follow the signs for the Eden project.
On the way back, come out of the Eden car park and start heading back the way you came.
You quickly come across a footpath leading off to the left. From this it is possible to
head towards a narrow metalled road with houses strung along it (grid reference SX046549).
Turn down this lane, then left and head towards Tregrehan Mills. Turn left at Tregrehan
Mills, up a steep hill. After about a third of a mile a footpath leads off to the right
towards St Blazey Gate. Follow this to the A390. Cross the road and turn right, then take
the next left down a housing estate. The second left turn leads into a footpath past
Biscovey and Trenovissick farm and back to Par. When you reach the A3082 cross and take
the road directly opposite, walk under the railway bridge and turn left. A footpath on
the left after 50 yards or so takes you directly back to Par Station.
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