Eden Project, Corwall
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Cornwall's greatest sight, the Eden Project.

Now that Land's End has been permitted to deteriorate into a squalid churning, gurning mass of lower life forms - is the spectacularly ambitious but successful Eden Project in St Austell that features exotic plant species from all over the world.

Opened in 2001, the Eden Project's central theme is the global environment with the two largest domes offering natural arrangements of typical plants [at least 250,000 of them] in, respectively, an authentically steamy tropical setting and a temperate, Mediterranean environment.
The complex includes colourful outdoor planted areas and bizarre sculptures as well as entertaining educational facilities that encourage visitors to understand the essential relationship between people and plants around the world - all structured in an imaginative, environmentally aware way.

The Eden Project's geodesic domes, otherwise known as biomes, consist of inflated UV-transparent sheets of thermoplastic [ETFE film] supported by tubular steel frames, all set in a disused Cornish clay pit. The entire operation is environmentally friendly, not only with regard to recycling all waste products and paperless ticketing but also almost all water used comes courtesy of the sky while power is generated by Cornish wind turbines.

The primary instigator of the Eden Project is an Anglo-Dutch ex-archeology student, ex-millionaire record producer [Barry Manilow among others] called Tim Smit. On moving to Cornwall in 1987 he discovered the remains of magnificent ancient gardens next door and spent two years restoring them with the help of local enthusiasts. These Lost Gardens of Heligan have now become one of the country's top botanical attractions, so Smit has a history of green-fingered success.

Cornwall is also an excellent holiday destination with fine, family-friendly little sandy coves on its south coast and terrific Atlantic surf and associated wild nights on the north coast.
Cliff paths and inshore trails [including around the Eden Project area] are a delight for walkers or mountain bikers while the indented rocky coastline and some rivers [for example the Fowey] attract kayaks and dinghy sailors. Hire is readily available in summertime. Try [http://encountercornwall.com/] for bikes, routes, guided walks, kayaks and canoe hire.

Biking:
- One of England's best traffic free bike trail is Cornwall's Camel Trail, built over a dead railway track and providing 18 miles of safe, flat, picturesque cycling, through coastal scenes and inland woods, this makes a great family bike tour.
- The Clay Trails around the Eden Project are three lovely bike only routes through heathland, lakes, white clay peaks, classic valleys and wildlife woods.
Walks:
- The Southwest coastal path runs though Cornwall and a favourite section is the lush 75 miles running from Plymouth to Falmouth, wandering along clifftops and overnighting in charming little towns such as Fowey and Mevagissy, with easy side trips to the Lost Gardens of Heligan or the Eden Project [2-7 days].
- The Saints Way is another popular Cornish hike, but this time 30 miles curling though the centre of the county from pretty Padstow [north Cornwall] across to Fowey [south], following in the steps of Celtic pilgrims. [2-3 days]
- North Cornwall Coast Path, a dramatic 57 mile trek from Hartland to Padstow, taking in this wild, windy and historic area, spending nights in pleasant little weather-beaten fishing villages and towns such as Tintagel [King Arthur's Camelot according to legend]. [2-6 days].
Beaches:
- North Cornwall is a rugged, weather-beaten coast, home to King Arthur, smugglers and wreckers originally, but now the province of surfers taking advantage of lengthy beaches and consistent Atlantic surf, while in the summertime young party people wreck themselves around quaint pubs and locals smuggle their rage home.
- South Cornwall is more suited to families, with its quaint fishing villages, serrated coastline, rocky coves, comfortable sand and shallow, calm waters.
Porthcurno is one of Cornwall's best with a lifeguard during the summer and a stunning cliff path for those4 who've had enough sand. A few miles from Land's End.

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