I work for the local council and we were recently informed that the Eden Project was offering free entry to council workers and their families. They also offer free entry to offer services such as emergency services, publicans and charity workers.
I haven't been to the Eden Project in years, so we thought we would take advantage of the offer. Ali booked us into the local Premier Inn in St Austell and we headed off. We didn't need to stay overnight as it was only 65 miles away but Oliver doesn't travel very well, so I didn't want to risk it.
We arrived at opening time and I was surprised to see we were already in the second car park. I thought the cold wintery January day would have put people but I was very wrong.
We kitted up, because my goodness it was cold and headed down to the entrance. After showing my i.d we headed out onto the platform which gives you a great view of the biomes. Sam couldn't get over the size of them.
We followed the path down towards the bottom of the old quarry. The boys loved finding little paths and steps that would cut off the corner of the paths which adults didn't fit though. I loved hearing them giggle as they went through the small gaps.
On the way down he found the big wooden bee and information about the bees and the beehives that are on the Eden project site. Sam was interested as one of teachers is a bee keeper and they have been testing her honey.
After finding the bees, we headed into the rainforest biome. I was a little bit worried whether there would be enough stuff to hold the boys interests but they really enjoyed it. They spotted bananas growing, looked at cocoa plants, ran across jungle bridges and got splashed by the waterfalls.
Sam was really interested in the bridge that created clouds, I think he must have gone across at least six times. Oliver loved the little birds that were wandering around. He couldn't believe they weren't scared of him and would crouch down and watch them as they walked around.
We slowly made our way up the path and we started to get warmer as we went up. Thank goodness we took the pushchair as we started to strip off our layers of clothes.
We soon came to signs stating that we could go up into the roof of the biome. The rules were very clear that no children could be carried whilst going up the steep staircase. We showed Sam and Oliver the platform that we could go up too if they wanted too. They were both keen.
As went up the stairs, the air kept getting warmer and warmer. Please bare in mind that we were all dressed for January and all that the January weather has to offer. We went up last due to Oliver being quite slow on the stairs and with my legs not enjoying the damp weather and finally reached the platform that was hanging from the ceiling by wires.
This platform is definitely not for the faint hearted or people who prefer a nice cool breeze. It was hot up there. You could feel it in your chest with your breathing.
The photos below show Ali and I about half way around the first biome and the at the top, can you tell which one is which?? lol
However, going up onto the platform was great. You could see the tops of the trees, we were completely in the canopy of the forest. The boys couldn't quite work out where they were and the height certainly didn't faze them. I felt it was definitely worth walking up there to take a look. Not sure Ali would agree though as he isn't great with heights!!
After surviving the platform we headed down towards the next biome and found a garden full of orchids, which are the only plant I can keep alive. They were stunning and we were enjoying the peace of the garden until Oliver slipped off the bench and landed face first onto the gravel. :(
We headed into the second much cooler biome and what a relief it was. The second biome seemed to have a really peace atmosphere where as the rainforest one felt busy and well wet!! lol
The boys loved there was a path that looked like a train track that led the way, until they arrived at two wooden goats which could be sat on. I could hear the boys chuckling before I even got to them. Sam was telling Oliver a story about goats, apparently they were on a long journey together.
We then headed up the path and Sam found a wooden sculpture that looked like a chair and when I got there, he runs ahead of me, he was laying on it pretending to sleep, he then changed his mind and decided it was a meditation chair and he sat in a yoga pose and started to say "mmmmmmmmmmm" It was very funny to watch!!
Again the biome was full of interesting sculptures as well as the unusual plants, but the boys loved finding the moving models or the wooden things to sit and play on. It certainly held their attention.
Even through I had packed a lunch for us, the boys had pretty much eaten everything by lunchtime so we headed to the café. I have to say I like the informal seating that they have, everyone pitches in together so it doesn't matter how big the size of your group is.
Unfortunately I knew the boys wouldn't eat anything on the menu so I was pleased to see a choose your own packed lunch, however I wasn't so pleased with the choice or the price!!!
The boys could choose three items and a drink for £5.95!! Oliver chose sausages, grapes and jelly and Sam chose a ham wrap, which I had to remove the ham, an oat bar and a jelly, seriously £11.90 for two packed lunches. However my real bug bear was the grapes. The 9 grapes were still whole!! Surely if I am paying near £2 for nine grapes, then I expect them cut. I could go through a whole rant about why we should cut grapes but I will hold that in for another day. :(
After our lunch, we headed up to the next building and were greeted by an odd looking sculpture. It was huge and even more oddly it was blowing smoke rings. It was strange to watch but it was also a peaceful thing to watch.
The building was filled with other sculptures such as the egg, which the boys were fascinated by as well as computer inspired science experiments and the joy of joys which is a soft play area. Thankfully, the soft play area could be watched whilst having a coffee or in my case, a hot chocolate. It was a lovely warm part of the building which on a cold January day makes a huge difference.
After a while in the final building we decided to head home. We went via the scenic route back up the hill towards the shop and the exit. The boys were still finding paths to use and places to hide on the way.
Overall, would I recommend visiting The Eden Project on a cold wintery day? Absolutely!! We as a family had a fab day out. We could have stayed longer if we wanted, to have a go at the ice skating rink, or go for a nosey around the gardens but the weather did beat us.
My tips for visiting would be:
Wear layers that can be easily removed
Take a packed lunch unless you want to pay a high price for food.
Wear sensible shoes - I have to admit I struggled with the walking due to my arthritis so I was pleased I was wearing my cat boots.
For further information please visit: https://www.edenproject.com/
Disclosure: this was NOT a paid review, all the thoughts and opinions are my own.
