During the summer I was lucky enough to spend some time in Cornwall (unfortunatly I was not lucky enough for the weather to be nice during this time!). The landscape of this entire county on this peninsula of Great Britain makes fantastic viewing from it's breathtaking coastline to the artificial china clay mounds which dominate the area around St Austel. However the two locations I am going to detail are perhaps the most breathtaking of all: The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan-
This has to be one of t
he most radical garden restoration projects anywhere in the country. The glamourous family owned gardens here were left to rot in 1914 for three quarters of a centuary untill their discovery in 1990. Since then the site has been restored to it's former glory, including many of the original buildings, trees and plant species which are so unique to the gardens. The range of garden styles here is extensive. From long scenic 'rides' to woodland wildernesses, formal gardens and kitchen gardens, with a range of rare or exotic plants including the famously huge 'Californian Redwood' trees and one of the largest collections of tree ferns in the area.
he most radical garden restoration projects anywhere in the country. The glamourous family owned gardens here were left to rot in 1914 for three quarters of a centuary untill their discovery in 1990. Since then the site has been restored to it's former glory, including many of the original buildings, trees and plant species which are so unique to the gardens. The range of garden styles here is extensive. From long scenic 'rides' to woodland wildernesses, formal gardens and kitchen gardens, with a range of rare or exotic plants including the famously huge 'Californian Redwood' trees and one of the largest collections of tree ferns in the area.The Eden Project-
The hisotry of th
e Eden Project as a garden streaches back significantly less than the gardens of Heligan. Opening as a Millenium project in 2000 the Eden Project with it's distinctive biomes was built on the site of a former China Clay pit to showcase and increase knowledge of the worlds environments. The two huge biomes dominate the site and contain collections of platns from the tropics and mediteranian regions. Outdoors are more hardy plants from our own climate. The site is intended to be educational and as such there are various oppertunities to interact with the exhibits and learn more about them. The site also includes several spaces which can be used for various purposes including The Core building with it's organically shaped roofline which is used as an exhibition space.
e Eden Project as a garden streaches back significantly less than the gardens of Heligan. Opening as a Millenium project in 2000 the Eden Project with it's distinctive biomes was built on the site of a former China Clay pit to showcase and increase knowledge of the worlds environments. The two huge biomes dominate the site and contain collections of platns from the tropics and mediteranian regions. Outdoors are more hardy plants from our own climate. The site is intended to be educational and as such there are various oppertunities to interact with the exhibits and learn more about them. The site also includes several spaces which can be used for various purposes including The Core building with it's organically shaped roofline which is used as an exhibition space. Overall the site has a lot going on, and I think it is for this reason that it re
ally does come across as a tourist attraction rather than a refreshing and enjoyable space. This may be no bad thing- afterall the site IS a tourist attraction. However on a busy summers day I did not find it very tranquil or peaceful due to the number of visitors. That said the staggering site does not dissapoint, though it is perhaps the shape of the site and the structures within it which form the biggest attraction.
ally does come across as a tourist attraction rather than a refreshing and enjoyable space. This may be no bad thing- afterall the site IS a tourist attraction. However on a busy summers day I did not find it very tranquil or peaceful due to the number of visitors. That said the staggering site does not dissapoint, though it is perhaps the shape of the site and the structures within it which form the biggest attraction.
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