credits: Tamsyn Williams, Eden Project
Eden Project
The Eden Project is a wonderful story of how you can turn a 160-year-old clay pit into the 3rd most popular tourist attraction in the country. The original idea to create a large building, that would contain plant species from all over the world in their natural condition, belongs to Tim Smit, an innovative and successful businessman.
The complex consists of several areas of ecologically similar climatic conditions called biomes. The Rainforest Biome creates conditions very similar to ‘South-East Asia, West Africa, South America and the tropical islands’. If you always wanted to visit the jungle, that could be your chance. The biomes are so large that they can accommodate the Tower of London. It is also the largest greenhouse in the world with real temperature and moisture levels.
credits: Ben Foster, Eden Project
Have you ever been to Australia or Central Chile? In Eden you can experience it without actually going there. The Mediterranean Biome recreates the atmosphere of South Africa, South West Australia, Central Chile and California. The biome has a large collection including citrus, olives, lupins and shrubs of the Chaparral. How do these plants affect the people? What are the typical challenges in these regions? You would be able to answer these questions, once you visit the Eden.
But Eden Project does not just show species, it also aims to educate the visitors. Eden’s Education Centre, called The Core, is one of the most sustainable buildings in the world. The Core has three floors full with amazing exhibitions, lectures and workshops for your children. The building is equipped with automatic taps and rainwater collectors which make unique in terms of both science and design.
The Eden Project is accessible from the A30 and A38. The nearest train station is at St. Austell which is approximately four miles away from the site. Alternatively you can use regular bus services from Newquay, Helston, Falmouth or Truro.
Cadbury World
This destination is perfect, especially if you are travelling with your children. People love chocolate and it hard to imagine anyone who would tell its story better than Cadbury.
Founded in 1824, Cadbury is one of the largest confectionery manufacturers in the world. Starting from a small shop in Birmingham, Cadbury managed to build a huge empire. Now their Bournville based factory attracts more than 500,000 visitors introducing them into a wonderful world of chocolate.
There are 14 zones in Cadbury World covering the whole story from Aztec jungle, “where you walk through the tropical rainforest of the Mayan Indians”, to the world’s biggest Cadbury shop. Throughout the way you will see how cocoa was brought to Europe. This is delivered in 3D and has nothing to do with boring history lessons.
The museum has a full-size replica of Bull Street shop, the one opened by John Cadbury in 1824. Have you ever thought how chocolate is made? The next zones guide you through the process from manufacturing to packaging.
Your children will remember riding in Beanmobile through a chocolate land whereas the Demonstration area allows you to write your name in chocolate. Don’t forget to visit world's biggest Cadbury shop and get yourself unique handmade chocolate.
Cadbury World is within walking distance from Bournville Station. You can also get here by boat via the Birmingham and Worcester canal.
by Zair Kashek
More in this series:
Places to see in 2009: Quebec city and Hawaii
Places to see in 2009: Venice and Prague
Places to see in 2009: Germany and Denmark
Places to see in 2009: Warwick Castle and Stonehenge
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