Open Writing

The Eden Project and the lost gardens of Heligan are close enough to see both in a day. I had misgivings about the former as it seemed a bit Disneyish from the write-ups I had seen. But there are no thrill rides here. The family-oriented pursuits seem to be aimed at restoring imaginative play among children who too often today are spoon fed their entertainment on TV and in computer games.

I couldn't help noticing that in the den-making area the most enthusiastic builders were parents, lashing ropes and poles together like born-again boy scouts.

The Biomes were excellent with their plant collections supplemented by environmental messages and information. A few miles south, toward Mevagissey is the garden at Heligan, a plant collection restored from obscurity. The highlight has to be the jungle with its big fir trees and ferns. But the heart of any garden is its tool and potting shed. I love these places with their spades, forks and hoes and their shiny handles, worn through years of work. In their prime, serviced by a platoon of gardeners, the great walled gardens must have been magnificent enterprises. The aging brickwork, patinaed terracotta cloches and white-painted cold frames are working memorials to a past that is worth preserving.

http://www.edenproject.com/?gclid=CM244qDn9KMCFcH-2AodYA0A4Q
http://www.heligan.com/