Visiting The Eden Project In Winter

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When we went to Cornwall for a few days for my birthday back in January, top of the list for me of things to do was visit the Eden Project. Having never been before, I really had no idea how busy it would be, if there would be anything to see, and if it would even be open at the time. After all, it’s a huge plant nursery and generally winter in the UK is not the best time to see plants at their best! We needn’t have worried, however. Arriving on a bright and sunny January morning, we had the most wonderful day and got to see so much.

We arrived bright and early at opening time to find we were the only car in the car park! It was extremely easy to get in. We had pre-booked tickets, so didn’t have to queue anyway, but as it was so quiet we got to enjoy a hot drink in the cafe before heading into the park itself. When we were ready, we just went straight through.

I was blown away immediately at the amazing view of the biomes. They’re such an iconic symbol of the Eden Project but are very impressive when you see them in person.

We wound our way down the paths, stopping to admire plants and trees along the way. There’s a lot to see, even outside in January. It’s true that some plants were missing, with just a label where they will emerge in the spring (herbs, for example). But for the most part, there wasn’t anything we couldn’t see that we really wanted to.

The thing to consider, of course, is that even if the plants are above ground and green, those which are outside generally don’t have flowers or fruit. This is to be expected in January.

The Biomes

It was sunny but chilly, so I was very keen to step inside the Rainforest Biome once we got down the hill. The instant warmth was lovely! It was still fairly quiet so we did get to have a leisurely wander without many people around. There are some incredible trees, flowers and fruits in here, including the most enormous bamboo.

The biome has lots of paths, steps and passages to walk around. There’s something new to see at every twist and turn, including a waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for fruits both high and low.

You can also climb up to the top of the biome on a very high platform (not for the faint hearted!).

To cool down a little (but not too much!) we headed towards the Mediterranean Biome. This was fabulous, with the fruit trees and sculptures. There are North African plants here too, so you really do get a huge variety. I loved the aloe vera and all the herbs and vegetables.

It was starting to get busy as we were thinking about leaving at lunchtime. However we had a really wonderful morning wandering around in peace and quiet. We didn’t have to queue for anything at all, which is why I think winter is a great time to visit the Eden Project. There’s plenty to see and do, as well as eat and drink, and you get it all to yourself (almost!).

The large gift shop is wonderful too. You can take home produce and preserves from the gardens themselves. I bought a fig tree, a lemon tree and an olive tree to recreate a Mediterranean atmosphere in my back garden.

Plan Your Visit

If you’re planning to visit the Eden project, I recommend checking their website to find out which days they are open. They do close for some days during the winter. If you buy your tickets in advance you can save up to 10% on your entry fee. I suggest getting there as early as you can so you can really take it all in, in all its splendour. It’s definitely one of the best places in Cornwall for couples.

Have you been to the Eden project before?

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Melissa Jane Lee

Melissa is a beauty, style and interiors fanatic who loves creating content that makes your life that little bit easier. She's tested, reviewed and shared thousands of products, life hacks, style tips and the latest lifestyle trends with readers of this site since 2015. Go here to read Melissa's story, and if you want to send her a quick message then visit her contact page here

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