The Eden Project
Gardens in st austell
World-famous biomes and gardens exploring the relationship between people and plants.
The Eden Project is one of Cornwall’s most visited attractions, a dramatic complex of giant biomes set inside a former china clay quarry near St Austell. Since opening in 2001, it has welcomed millions of visitors and established itself as a global centre for exploring the relationship between humans and the natural world.
The two main biomes — enormous geodesic domes clad in transparent ETFE pillows — house recreations of tropical rainforest and Mediterranean environments. The Rainforest Biome, the largest indoor rainforest in the world, contains plants from South America, West Africa, Malaysia and tropical islands, with a canopy walkway offering an elevated perspective through the humid interior. The Mediterranean Biome features plants from southern Europe, South Africa and California, alongside olive groves, citrus trees and sculptural planting.
Outside the biomes, extensive gardens cover the crater floor and surrounding slopes, with displays dedicated to temperate crops, wildflowers, hemp, lavender, tea and more. The site also includes a zip wire across the quarry, a climbing wall, an ice rink in winter, and regular exhibitions and events. The Eden Sessions — a summer concert series held against the backdrop of the biomes — attract major artists and sell out quickly. Beyond entertainment, Eden runs education and research programmes focused on sustainability, food systems and environmental stewardship. It is a place that manages to be both genuinely educational and thoroughly enjoyable.
