If you like the Eden Project, Kew gardens in London is well worth looking into, it's 300 acres of gardens with several enormous conservatories / greenhouses and a tree top walkway. It's hundreds of years old with millions of specimens

The start for this was when they discovered the Heligan Estate in Cornwall which was so overgrown no one knew what was there, most of the estates gardeners etc, had died in WW1. They renewed the garden to it's former state and can be visited today, it's now known as The Lost Gardens of Heligan. I found it magical and breathtaking.... which lead to the consept of The Eden Project. Steve, you would love both..... two of many beautiful subtropical gardens in Cornwall.

Cornwall famous for tin mines and China clay pits, they literally scoured out the clay leaving huge white holes in the ground. This is an amazing project, started with a massive vision and passion, how they got it funded and built is beyond me. A true wonder, if you do go to the Eden project also look around the rest of the Cornish coast it is a wonderful part of England although they have their own distinct culture

It's appropriate you uploaded this today Steve. A famous tree in the UK known as the 'Sycamore Gap Tree' or 'Robin Hood Tree was chopped down by a vandal yesterday. It sat on Hadrian's Wall and was known as the most photographed tree in the UK and even featured in the film 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves'. People are very upset.

I remember visiting a few years ago, and found Sir David Attenborough in the Tropical Dome talking to a camera about the leafcutter ants in front of him. What a treat!

You should see it in the summer. The whole exterior portion is full of bright colours from all the different flowers. There are viewing platforms right at the top of the rainforest biome and theres also a zip line across the entire pit.

I love the guide’s enthusiasm for her plants and her serious message to end on. The Eden Project is just 15 miles from my home and I’ve lost count of the number of visits I’ve made. I seem to remember English China clay was sold around the world until cheaper Chinese porcelain took over the market. We do get storms in from the Atlantic but the choice of location is perfect so even on a windy day you will feel a climate difference as you walk down from the car parks. The small train will take you back up if worn out at the end of a visit but the outside gardens are just as impressive to wander through. Definitely worth a visit Steve!

I live in Cornwall, this is a great feat in engineering and horticulture.

If you like the oak tree, check out "major oak" it's a 1000 year old tree, in Sherwood forest, England.

Amazing , as someone who has had anxiety and depression nature is a god send , I walk in my local woods everyday and it does me the world of good . So important we look after our green spaces . 😊 💚🌳🌲🌿

I would argue Eden is one of the best music venues in the country, the biomes light up along with the shows and it has a limited number of guests, tickets are hard to come by but definitely worth every penny! The who this year were incredible to watch!

I visited the Eden Project in its first year and was inspired by it (and also the Lost Gardens of Heligan, another Tim Smit project nearby). Now I have my own bio farm producing herbs and edible plants (in Belgium) without fertiliser or pesticides.

China clay is used to make fine porcelain, I used to work at Coalport and Wedgewood potteries where they used a lot of the stuff, I don't know anything about the science of it all though, I was just an artist, not a potter, but painting fired and glazed porcelain is an incredible thing, everything needs to be perfect, you can't make any mistakes, and every brush stroke has to be confident and fluid, if you hesitate it's ruined and you have to start again, it's the most difficult job I ever had as an artist in the ceramics industry.

My husband worked for the Cornish company that did the initial ground work i.e putting the bars in the ground to strengthen it and securing the walls is the sides of the area to secure that while checking one of the drilled holes in the ground his mobile phone fell out of his top pocket straight down the hole it's still there I have a number of photo's he'd taken during his time there

They are expanding Eden Projects around the world; China, Dubai, Columbia, Dundee Scotland, Australia, Foyle Northern Ireland, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Lake Chad and Portland USA. Not all are biomes, but interesting projects none the less.

Cornwall is actually pretty windy, the UK as a whole is being an island where you can never be more than ~80 miles form the coast and Cornwall is on a peninsular and has strong historic and current connections to the sea

This is a place that the 'green critics' of England should go to. We should all be proud of it.

If you enjoy gardens and plants, Cornwall is excellent even by British standards. There's dozens of amazing gardens just a few miles apart. Eden project obviously, Lostwithiel, the Lost Gardens of Heligan (absolutely amazing), Trebah near Helston, Trengwainton near Penzance just a few of my favourites in Cornwall. Cornwall has enough to keep even the most demanding visitor entertained for a fortnight in itself. Outdoor theatres built into the cliffs, amazing castles and seascapes, wildlife reserves, museums, and lots of gardens. Cornwall has a beauteous climate.

I lived down the road from it when it was being built and went to it a few times it was quite an incredible thing, as you approach it you don’t really see it until you come out of the visitor centre. Also occasionally I saw a giant tree on the back of a truck drive past my house when it was being planted. I need to go back and see how much it has changed in the past 22 years

Hi Steve I am lucky enough to live 5 minute car drive from Eden project. The domes are split into two biomes. It's an amazing place to visit. I would also recommend that if you like gardens that you should visit the lost gardens of heligan

We do love our gardening , plants and accessories are a major industry and there are many magnificent examples both public and private up and down the Country , most of them are open to the public . The Eden project however is another dimension , the vision and determination to build something for the 21st century to educate and inspire the next generation.

The clay pit in which the project is sited was in use for over 160 years. In 1981, the pit was used by the BBC as the planet surface of Magrathea in the TV series the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. By the mid-1990s the pit was all but exhausted.

I went there on holiday 12 years ago when I was 7, and to this day I still remember the incredible heat, humidity and 'greenhousey' smell of that place. 10/10 place btw

It was a mine for china clay (the stuff fine porcelain is made from). BTW, the tall plant in the background at 4:19 is a tree fern (the ponga or silver fern) which is the national plant of where I live, New Zealand. I have two of them in my back garden :) And those are basically two connected groups of geodesic domes with special "pillow" exteriors - the largest single dome is 180 feet high and 330 foot wide! The whole project covers nearly 200 acres. "Clingfilm with attitude" - I love it!

The Eden Project is like no other. I am fortunate to live in Cornwall and have been several times. It never ceases to amaze. I recommend anyone living in or visiting the UK to put the Eden Project on their 'must do' list.

The white pit about which you enquired was a kaolin mine. Kaolin is a vital ingredient in producing porcelain and other good china. In the early 20th century, Cornwall produced half of the world's production of kaolin. It is also used in some cosmetics. Wedgewood, Minton and other fine china manufacturers used Cornish kaolin. The county once produced a million tonnes a year. By today, largly due to labour costs, most production has been moved to Brazil.

Just imagine each BioDome is the same size of one of your American Football Stadiums and you would not be far from wrong.

Oh ! The Eden project huh? I used to live fairly close by ( Liskeard ) and the then partner and I took the kids there. It's FANTASTIC! The kids were absolutely fascinated...by the 'hothouse' section...where they had carnivorous plants...'Venus Flytraps' and 'pitcher plants' ( that trap insects ) . Most certainly worth a visit !

An Eden Project North is being built in Morecambe, a seaside town on the northwest coast of England. Sitting on Morecambe Bay, it has some terrific views of the Lake District. I didn't particularly enjoy my visit to the Eden Project a few years ago. I found the rainforest dome very depressing and so humid I had difficulty breathing. But they're doing fantastic work there.

I used to work at the Eden Project and worked with Jo (the guide in the video) and Tim Smit (the co-founder). Jo is just like she is the video - funny and engaging. It was a thrill working at somewhere so iconic and beautiful - a fab place to take your lunch or have a lunchtime walk! My favourite part of Eden is the concerts they put on every June/July. Quite intimate with only 5000 in the audience and the biomes are used as part of the light show. The likes of Elton John, Kylie, Bryan Adams, Lionel Ritchie and Nile Rogers have played there. Such a buzz. Also very educational on the environment and climate change. Well worth a visit - especially if you like plants.

the mine was a china clay pit, the white clay is used in the paper industry to make the paper white and smooth. it also is used in paint and pottery industry, unfortunately most of the mines have shut down as production was moved to south America.

The Eden Project is a fab place to visit, I went in 2005 when I was in Cornwall for a week. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are nearby and equally beautiful, but completely different. I loved both places. As others have commented, Kew Gardens is an absolute must for anyone interested in plants. ❤❤❤

You definitely wouldn't be disappointed after a visit. I live in Devon and have visited a few times - we've also taken the children to one of the Halloween events. They were fascinated by everything and it really helped to start my grandson's interest in the environment. Cornwall is also such a beautiful county - with long sandy beaches and lovely countryside.

One of the things she didn’t mention was the baobab tree, the fruit is harvested every year and you can try smoothies made from it, not like any fruit I’ve had before. They have tonnes of products to buy made from things they grow. Really cool place and the rainforest biome is seriously humid!

They put on some really good shows there at night in the summer too. I have been to a couple and all the domes have spectacular lighting for the concerts.

I visited the Eden project in 2004 when we were on our annual holiday in Cornwall, we used to stay only about 3 miles away from it. When driving in the area you would honestly never even know it was there without the signs to tell you where it is, because of it’s location in the bottom of the pit (a disused china clay mine…it did mention that at the start of the video). But it is an amazing place to visit, every bit as awe inspiring as it seems from the video. I’ve never been back but now I really want to!

Being born and raised in Cornwall I've been to Eden Project countless times as a child. It's a fantastic place to visit just prepare yourself for the sweltering humidity in the rainforest biome!

I still remember when these were built as I lived in Cornwall at the time. The project was part funded by the EU and it brought a much needed boost to the local economy. It's highly worth a visit, any time of year. They also have a large outdoor area that they use as a venue. I saw Nine Inch Nails perform there shortly after lockdown which was alone was amazing, but all attendees also got access to all the biomes as well.

You need to look up The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Beautiful.

Have visited the Eden project a few times. The most incredible visit was whilst they were still constructing the geodesic domes and still clearing land. The first two geodesic domes were built and completely empty. Returning a year later to see it full of plants was incredible. Now, it is just crazyness of plants, structure and a must see

Superb place - such genius. Geodesic domes? The Lost Gardens of Heligan are quite moving because the garden “went to sleep” when the staff went to fight in the Great War. If you get the chance go to see both. Britain is full of fantastic houses and gardens you can visit.

Visited the Eden Project a couple of years ago and was blown away by it. It really is a must see if you go to Cornwall.

As you say, "Gotta love trees, man.". In the UK we're reeling from the news that one of the most famous and photographed trees in the country was felled last night by some a*hole kid with a chain-saw - a 200 year old sycamore, which "starred" in many movies.

I've travelled all over the world in the last 40 years but Eden is one of my favourite places to spend time. And it was right on my doorstep 😀 If you visit I recommend staying the weekend. You can rent pods (made from shipping containers) on the site just down the road from the biomes. When I went staying there meant you could wander around after the regular visitors had all gone home. I recommend having your evening meal "outdoors" in the biome if they still offer that as an option. fabulous place. For my money one of the best attractions the UK has to offer.

I’m an exiled Londoner living about 20miles from Eden and although it’s an amazing place,it’s not doing so great at the moment. Covid happened and the footfall disappeared,not to mention how expensive it is to go in there. I worked in the grounds for Hangloose (a zip wire that travels above the biomes among other thrill rides) and we often popped in to have a look around. It’s a constant 73degrees so gets quite humid. The gantry at the top of the main biome is a bit scary as it’s a grid platform meaning you can see through to the ground. Well worth a visit but be prepared for about $46 pp and take your own refreshments. The on-site cafe is hideously expensive.

My cousin was one of the Chef Mining Engineers at English China Clay. He worked the last shift in that particular pit and oversaw the shutdown and make safe. China Clay is a fine white soft Clay used for making fine China and Porcelain it is also used in paper, rubber, paint and some Pharmaceuticals. All around the pits were what was called the Cornish Alps. They were the waist heaps from the Mining mainly made of white/light grey Quartz sand, but a use was found for it and now they are mostly gone some of the smaller ones remaining have been planted to stabilize them. China Clay is still mined in the area around St Austell and The Eden Project. It is a wonderful place to visit as it Cornwall itself.

We go to Cornwall regularly and this is one of our frequent destinations. Spectacular and amazing.

We visited The Eden project when we were living in Bristol. This place is huge, and it's such a fun place to visit. It was only a few years after completion when we visited and we'd love to go back again now that it's matured and our 3 kids are old enough to appreciate it (14, 13 and 11). Well worth a visit if you get a chance.

This was being built the same years that I was studying my HND Building Studies and my BSc on Property and Asset Management. We used this structure as part of our lessons, the plastic covering was nicknamed Transparent Aluminium (star trek joke). I took my kids there in its fifth year of opening, it was one of the best days out we have ever had. We walked the trail from floor to roof and then came down the stairs at the side of the waterfall that was from roof to floor. we have been back a couple of times to see it evolve. If you are in the area then you must look up the Lost Garden of Heligan, his first project mentioned in the film. both well worth the time.😄👍

Being there is next level, the difference in humidity, temperatures and even scents just add to the experience. When you walk through the Mediterranean area and you take in the aroma, you really feel like you are in the Med. The view from the top is amazing too. One of my kids favourite day trips.

Something you wouldn't have probably noticed from that is how many animals and insects are in the domes, all kinds of birds and insects, you can see literally thousands of butterflies at the right times of year, I've even seen squirrels. Properly magical place and im lucky to have been several times, the first some 20 years ago

I live 20 minutes away from the Eden Project. My dad was one of the workers who built it too!

wow, got goosebumps... "I wish I had or I'm glad I did". Life lesson there kids. :)

I visited the Eden Project with my husband a few years ago, you are right wanting to visit it when you get the chance it is one of the most fantastic, impressive places we’ve ever been, definitely well worth a visit. 👍

What a fantastic lady and video, we need more people who can get the message across and make it fun! Its a great place, went ages ago, they have more domes now

The structure creates the support. Geodesic domes are amazing and domes in general have their own properties that help create micro climates. The types of plants also help. Cornwall can actually be quite wild weather wise, it is known for the Atlantic storms that batter it’s coasts.

I live 2 miles from Eden, it's beautiful and now they do awesome concerts there as well

Just a piece of trivia. The Eden Project was used to film the interior of Gustavia Graves' ice palace in the James Bond film Die Another Day. Halle Berry’s stunt double climbed down one of the biomes for the film. Obviously, there was a lot of CGI involved, but the effects were stunning.

Been here many times and I never get tired of it, it’s constantly changing

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tom Smit's first project is amazing and well worth a visit. We've been to Eden Project several times. The first time the biomes (domes) were still not complete and we stood on the viewing platform and could see the diggers which were quite small in comparison to the biomes. It is a very large site but is well organised and a wonderful experience

Steve, the fact that you love tree's and gardens is reason enough to visit the UK. We have many historic buildings that have beautiful gardens attached to them. If you wander into an old churchyard over here, its likely that in front of the church will be an ancient yew tree.

Had a few days in Cornwall this week. Went here yesterday. It really is a wonderful place. So many plants and trees etc from all over the world. Well worth a visit.

I live 30 minutes away from eden project its amazing my kids love it

I visited The Eden Project just after lockdown ended in 2021. (Interesting fact; your ticket lasts for 12 months for the price of 1 day's admission, you can go every day of the year at no extra cost, some do). It was our first hot period at the beginning of July. Because of Covid all of the interactive displays were shut, all of the free water points were shut, the cafe's and restaurants were using social distancing reg's. The cool room (an oasis of cool breeze) in the tropical zone was shut. I suffered, was dyeing of thirst and soaked with sweat after the 45 minute tropical trek but loved it. It's a bucket list thing that has to be done to be appreciated. The waterfall is now my phone's screensaver, the memory of being soooo hot but basking in the waterfall's cool mist while on that rope bridge will never leave me.

We've been to Eden 3 times and it's an amazing day out. I recommend the viewing platform in the rainforest dome

Visited The Eden Project several times over the years,was there the day they started putting in the trees etc. concerts here have a very special atmosphere.

I first went to the eden project when I was 4 yrs old! (A year before it was opened)...I last went a couple years back to watch a noel gallagher gig. I've been many times.. its great! 😊

Visited the Eden Project twice, well worth a visit and so much to see. Amazing place.

The garden they restored is called the lost garden of Helligan and its also open to the public to visit

The British and Irish love gardens, and there are so many glorious gardens to visit in the UK and Ireland. One of the most prestigious societies in the UK is the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). There are many guides which will tell you the great gardens - such as Bodnant, Inverewe, Westonbirt Arboretum, Hidcote Bartrim - and there is even a scheme whereby private individuals can open their garden for a weekend. And - as another commenter has told you - Kew Gardens. This was anciently a Royal Palace, and is really big, beautiful, and peaceful, in west London. Not only is it a wonderful place to visit, but it's the world capital of botany. It has I believe the biggest herbarium in the world, but I think it acts as the central control on the naming of plant species.

Tresco Gardens on The Isles of Scilly are incredible too. They are located on the Scilly Isles, 28 miles off the tip of Cornwall. You can fly there by helicopter from Penzance, or take a trip on The Scillonian, a ship which sails from Penzance to the Scillies every morning I believe. While you are at the southern most tip of Cornwall, also worth seeing very much is Saint Michaels Mount. An ancient abbey and strong hold on a dramatic rocky island just off shore from Marazion village. Also the town of Saint Ives is wonderful. It’s a very special place that takes your breath it’s so beautiful.

Great watch Steve thanks

It’s been used for quite a lot of TV, including scenes from, Die another Day, the Bond film.

There's also the national botanic garden of Wales. I admit I haven't been, but I have seen a video of it if you're interested. Inside the eden project there is humidity water mist spray etc to keep it absolutely authentic. When it was built everything was made to spec for the individual zones

It's lovely in there, always nice & warm.

The Eden Project is incredible. I've been lucky enough to spend many happy days there and, I've seen a few bands there too. One of the most memorable was Blondie. If you like gardens, you'd love Trebah on the Helford Estuary. It has a poignant history too; scores of US soldiers launched from there during the D Day landings. The memorials always move me.

I’m lucky to live only ten minute drive from here, so it’s a big part of my childhood, don’t know how many times I’ve been there! Had family and friends that worked there, even met the queen there in 2006. An awesome place overall! Would gladly give a free tour 😉 😁

I live five minutes away from Eden, its breathtaking, as is the rest of Cornwall with its stunning beaches and wild moorlands , I'm on the edge of Bodmin Moor which is beautiful yet can be very unforgiving , definitely visit Cornwall try a pasty and take in the Cornish beauty, oh and they have amazing concerts /live music at Eden ❤

I've visited this placec4 times and would happily go again, it's a must if you like plants.

I visited Eden when it first opened, it really is fantastic. The whole of Cornwall is amazing, it has beaches that would not look out of place in the Mediterranean. If you do get over here you must visit Cornwall.

I read about your other commentators advice on Kew Gardens. Yes I agree, and there they have a long tree top canopy walk to let you see what humans normally miss. In Cornwall, clay for making crockery has been an important industry. The Eden site is well sheltered from wind (as you mentioned) and is also a sun trap. In the tropics, it rains every day for an hour (as you know, I've lived there), and all different climatic effects have to be maintained at the Eden Project, 24 hours a day, from the highest of soaking humidity to the driest of deserts.

visited the project in July 2023 and it is a place that leaves its impression on you.

i saw this not long after it was built and planted I would love to go back and see it almost 25 years on

That ladies passion for this is amazing. I may need to visit this place.

Steve it’s amazing! When you go there their cafe is supplied by veg they grow. The way you have clean mugs/ plates the whole thing is fantastic. It’s completely accessible too.

Eden Sessions, where great band/groups/singers from all over the world play live, is one of the most amazing live show arenas, it’s amazing.

The second venue for the Edne Project is currently being built in Dundee, Scotland.

It's an amazing place - and Cornwall is a beautiful part of England

We have a number of successful millennium projects in the UK which were made to celebrate innovation. Though some were flops. The construction is based on geodesic domes of Buckminster Fuller fame. Biodomes are designed to withstand most extreme weather due to their shape which is why they are proposed for off world habitats

I remember when I went with my family and we were told that each individual 'bubble' section of the roof is big enough to hold a London black taxi cab!!!!!

The other garden mentioned is the lost gardens of Heligan well worth a visit,, when you do come over and go to the Eden project recommend getting there early. You will find that it is constantly evolving and could easily spend a day there it is very educational for children and adults alike.

@reactingtomyroots When I visited more than ten years ago, it reminded me of the 1972 Movie 'Silent Running', which was set on the USS Valley Forge... surprised you've never watched that one.

Went to the Eden Project on my honeymoon! A wonderful experience.

There is a Youth Hostel on site using old shipping containers fitted out as superb all in rooms. I have stayed there many times and you just walk down to the domes. They are much larger than they look on video with birds flying around. The structure is geodesic and very strong. Yes it's VERY hot, incredibly humid and "rains" a lot! One of the greatest places to visit and base out of for the rest or Cornwall :)

Steve, you are so funny, you make me chuckle, with the list you’ve been putting together as essential to visit, you will need a six month holiday in the Uk! 😊, you are right The Eden Project should be on your list, it’s fantastic, We visited it about 8 years ago , and it will have matured even more now. So it’s definitely a good addition to your list 👍

I love the Eden Project. We went there on holiday - the morning of our hols one of our dogs ran through glass chasing a cat, and she ended up in a soft leg cast (mainly to stop her from chewing at her leg.). She went all round TEP with us, in a pull along wagon! TEP was fascinating both for humans and naughty four-leggers!

They're doing an Eden project up north as well in Morecambe. Will be a huge improvement to the area and bring people back into Morecambe.

Hi Steve, I am glad you learnt about The Eden Project, It is a fabulous part of Kernow (Cornwall). As a "Northerner" I don''t need to tell you much about the Project [will let the "Kernewek" (hope I spelt that correct) viewers do that]. Over the last 12 months you have done during the last twelve, you seem to have touch many aspects of Kernow and hope you learn more about this fascinating part of Great Britain and about Saint Piran.

it's good to have a reminder of loveliness we have here after the Sycamore Gap sycamore tree was felled yesterday.

When the Brits first set sail in ships to explore the world they also became plant hunters. They brought back plants from every corner of the world and became so fascinated with them that every Noble and his dog rolled up their sleeves and 'caught' the gardening bug. As the centuries passed a great deal of the population also took up the hobby too. We watch gardening programmes on the tv, we visit the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens around the country for information on best practice, we flock in our many thousands to the Annual Chelsea Flower Shower (and many other Shows around the country during the summer calendar). We wander through the National Trust Gardens (which are simply everywhere) and Kew Gardens - the garden where many of those plant hunters shared their leafy treasures for centuries. Give a Brit a window box or a small patch of garden and we will happily dig and plant our way through the year. So if you are interested in plants this is the place to come. If you want to get some idea of the best places to see - and where - just ask for comments on your page - I am sure there'll be a good suggestion for almost any part of the UK - wherever you find yourself - when you and your family come visit us.