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Our Eden Project Visit - Three generations, a double buggy and an electric wheelchair!

This week three generations of our family visited the Eden Project in Cornwall. We were hoping for a fantastic family day out with a difference. But with a double buggy, an electric wheelchair, four adults and three children under five, was there really something for everyone? And, just how did we cope with the heat on the hottest day of the year so far?

Our Visit

We have been intending to visit the Eden Project as a family for an extremely long time and this week we finally got there. Hooray! Yorkshire to Cornwall (via Birmingham) is quite a drive, so we made a holiday of it, staying just outside St Austell.



Rainforest Biome

When we arrived at EP, it was already gearing up to be an incredibly hot day. With the heat in mind, we decided to make the hottest of the two Biomes (or bubbles as the children called them) our first stop. As we walked through the sweltering rainforest we spotted bananas, birds and waterfalls. Although the highest platform was shut due to the extreme heat, we still managed to get some fantastic views. We also saw the EP team chopping down a banana tree, which caused great excitement.

There was so much to talk to the children about, despite most of the activity boards and educational displays being aimed at slightly older children. Had it not been so hot, we could have stayed in the rainforest for longer. There was a “cool room” about halfway round and we popped in there twice. We also had cool drinks for the children. In relation to accessibility, there was only one section we were advised not to go along with the buggy and wheelchair.


Med Biome

We then had a pit stop for lunch in the Link before heading into the Mediterranean Biome. The atmosphere inside was much cooler and this biome was full of the amazing colours and smells of the Med. Again, there was so much to look at. The children spotted an array of different fruits growing. There were also lots of interesting sculptures. Imagine everything from driftwood pigs to giant metallic spiders. Theo even found a wooden tractor to drive. We stayed in the biome for Storytime and then ventured outside.




The Outside Gardens


Outside we meandered (very slowly) through the beautiful gardens. We stopped to have a good look at the giant bee and the huge man made out of discarded electrical goods. The children spent a long time exploring The Garden of Senses with its tactile walls, water features and xylophone. After a brief musical interlude from Theo, we continued on our way.


The Core

Next we visited The Core, which Theo entered by slide! In there we stumbled upon an under 5s soft play area with dressing up costumes. It was a great place to cool down and the three children loved it.

It was then time to go so we headed back to the Visitor Centre via the giant bridge. This provided brilliant views of the site and a closer view of those brave enough to use the overhead zipwire!


Our Thoughts...

Everyone had a fantastic day and we found there were plenty of things to keep us all entertained. The highlights for the children included Storytime in the Med-Biome; Soft play in the Core (under 5s); and exploring The Garden of the Senses. We could easily spend another day at EP and hope to return with the children at the end of the week for the special Dinosaur Uprising Event (23rd July - 4th September).



Facilities and Accessibility

The site is very child friendly and accessibility was not an issue. All the staff were helpful and polite.

There are lots of places to eat and drink as well as spots to picnic around the site. We ate in the Link between the two indoor Biomes. We can recommend the burritos, hot chicken platters and huge cakes. At first glance, the meals seem expensive but the portions were generous and the food was delicious! The kids had little food boxes with drinks, wraps and snack items. There are plenty of high chairs and space for the double buggy and electric wheelchair in the restaurant.

There are many clean, accessible toilets and unisex baby change facilities around the site. There is a breastfeeding room, which I didn't visit but instead I took advantage of several of the many benches.

There are several car parks and a shuttle bus service. We, however, parked in the disabled car park. Even from this car park, it was quite a walk to the Visitor Centre but wheelchairs are available if required. Electric wheelchairs can also be borrowed free of charge and these are collected from the Visitor Centre. We phoned in advance to book one for our visit.




The Cost


There were 7 in our party (2 adults, 2 over 60s and 3 children under 5). We purchased joint annual adult membership online prior to our visit.  The membership costs £75 and allows unlimited access for two adults for the year plus a guest each. The children were free. This worked out to be £20 less than the cost of the standard admission prices on the day. See the official Eden Project website for further details regarding entry prices and concessions.

Our Tips:


+Look online to find the best ticket price for you before you visit.

+If you need an electric wheelchair, phone and book one in advance.

+Arrive early.

+Pick up a free map from the Visitor Centre.

+Be prepared for the weather: Don’t forget hats, sunscreen and water if it’s hot. Waterproofs, if it’s wet.
+Wear comfy shoes!
+Go with an open mind, take your time exploring and, most importantly, have a great time!

Have you visited the Eden Project?
What was the highlight of your visit?



The Reading Residence

Our word of the week is... Eden!
Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Cuddle Fairy

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
Family Fever

46 comments:

  1. I've never been but would love to go! x

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    1. Quite a long way for you though :) But yes worth a visit!

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  2. Wow! Looks like you had an amazing time and how lovely that you had three generations there at the same time
    It's been a long time since we went to Eden - before my boy was born, in fact - but for us to get there it's a half a day journey. But you've reminded me how fantastic is it and we should make another visit
    Have a lovely week!
    #WoTW

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    1. Thank you we did have a lovely week. Can't recommend Eden Project enough especially with the family :)

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  3. Looks lovely - must add it to my list of places to visit

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  4. Eden project is on my bucket list. So brave to go on the hottest day. I did not know about the cool rooms, id be put off going on a hot day but not now. Awesome day out, brave and good value 😀 #countrykids

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    1. I was amazed by the cool room! But a brilliant idea. I'm not sure if we were brave or just daft to go on the hottest day lol!!

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  5. Sounds like you had a lovely time and how great to go with the whole family, too. We visited a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing with #WotW

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  6. We adore the Eden Project and have been several times. Lots of fun #countrykids

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  7. Oh you were just half an hour from me too! the Eden project really is great for all ages and very boggy and wheelchair friendly. It is a day out I recommend to many of my guests as the facilities for families get better each year. the under 5's soft play is something new that I've not seen, but sounds like a sensible addition. I know how popular our one is here. the Meditteranean Biome is my favourite too, it almost smells authentic with the plants and birds in there and so much more comfortable than the tropical biome. so pleased you had a good day there.

    Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids

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    1. Oh the smell in the Med Biome is gorgeous. We went back for the dinos on Saturday and that was fantastic, much better than I expected! I had no idea we were so close to you, I would have stopped in :) We went to Daymer beach which I think is even closer? Thank you for hosting #countrykids

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  8. Sounds like there really is something for everyone, and they have thought out the attraction well. The prices are good too (although it's been so long since I've been in England I may just have forgotten!)

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    1. Yes thought out very well and prices reasonable, especially as we got the season ticket and ended up going back for a second day!

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  9. It's an amazing place isn't it - we spent most of a day there and didn't get to see all of it. I can only imagine how hot it was in the rainforest biome though! I think that was my favourite part.

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    1. My husband loved the rainforest biome - his favourite bit. Definitely a full day out. We went for a second visit on our way home to see the special dino exhibition and still found more gardens to explore :)

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  10. I've never been to the Eden Project but it sounds amazing, especially the Rainforest Biome (although I can imagine it must have been like an oven in there this week!) Good to know that it was so accessible with the buggy and wheelchair too. #CountryKids

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    1. Yes I was really impressed with the accessibility -well thought out :)

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  11. I've been to the Eden Project but it was so long ago that it's high time we went as a family. #WotW

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    1. I can't recommend it enough. Really didn't know what to expect but so pleased we went :)

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  12. Now this is somewhere I'd love to go with the family.. perhaps not on the hottest day of the year though. Phew! #wotw

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    1. No that was just silly lol! It all worked out for us though- thank goodness! And yes, a brilliant family day out :)

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  13. Its my dream to go in there since I arrive here in the UK! I think its because of the hottest Biome reminds me of home. Sadly still havent visited the place and reading your post made me want to see it more!

    #countrykids

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    1. Oh do visit Pixiedusk, such a beautiful place :) Where are you from?

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  14. We had a really lovely day, but it was hot and we would not have managed without the electric wheelchair. The sensory garden was beautiful and I want some of the sculptured metal fencing that the sweet peas were climbing up!!!

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    1. You are right, it would have been impossible without the wheelchair. Great that it was provided for us :)

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  15. The Eden project is one of the places I would love to visit in the UK #countrykids

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    1. I have wanted to visit for ages, so glad we did. It really is a special place :)

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  16. It sounds wonderful, I've been to Cornwall so many times but never got round to visiting I really must! #WotW

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    1. Certainly worth a visit and Cornwall is such a beautiful part of the world :)

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  17. What a fabulous place to visit, I can only imagine the heat in there. I think I'd need to visit on a cold day in the hope that it wouldn't be too overwhelming (I don't do well in the heat) #countrykids

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    1. I'm hopeless in the heat. We returned on Saturday for the dino special and it wasn't nearly as hot :)

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  18. we haven't been since having the kids (Hastings to Cornwall not quite as epic as your trek but still needs a bit of planning), definitely somewhere I'd love to take them though. Great post :)

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    1. Definitely needs a bit of planning :) I will certainly plan another trip there when they are bit bigger - wish it was closer:)

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  19. I haven't ever been and I didn't actually know much about this place, we live up in Manchester and tend to stay in the North West however it looks and sounds like a amazing family day out! Looks like you all had a great time visiting, great photos too :) x #countrykids

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    1. Thank you Steph. It was a great day and we did pop back for the dinos on the Saturday too, which was brilliant! :)

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  20. I adore the first photo of your little girl too, so cute! x

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  21. Oh wow, I went about 10 years ago... I'd love to go back. Sounds like it's brilliant for children too. Glad you had such a lovely day.

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  22. It's fab there isn't it? So much to do - we've been a couple of times, in different seasons and it's amazing how much difference that makes to some of the plants - and to the number of visitors too :) #wotw

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  23. The Eden Project looks like such a great place and it looks likeyou had a fabulous time. I'd love a holiday in Cornwall sometime soon so hopefully we'll get there at some point. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

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  24. Sounds brilliant. Lots to see and do. The colling room sounds like my kind of place and I love the sound of the garden of the senses. #KCACOLS

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  25. Oh wow, I've never been and to be honest I've never been interested as I'm not much of a nature person and thought it was just glorified gardens - but you've sold me on it! I didn't realise there was so much there for children and that it would be so easily accessible by pushchair. We only live in Devon so we will definitely be visiting now, thank you! #KCACOLS

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  26. I remember going there years ago and we all loved it! Reading your post has reminded me how great it is and I must take the boys. Brilliant pics too:)

    Mainy
    #KCACOLS

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