Cornwall mini break

Last weekend I headed to Cornwall for my sister's 30th Birthday with the family. The main purpose of our trip was to visit the Eden Project. I've wanted to visit since it opened. I'm not a gardener, but two large biomes in a disused clay pit sounded cool.

We spent a very pleasant morning pottering round the two biomes. They tell a story as you flow through each biome. The tropical biome focuses on the uses of tropical plants, particularly as foods. The Mediterranean biome has a more familiar feel with plants that conjure memories of holidays in southern Europe and even a few plants that can be found in the UK. The grand scale of the china clay pit, the architecture and the regeneration the Eden Project has brought to this area of Cornwall are impressive. My only mild disappointment was the number of attractions outside of the biomes. A vast area that didn't capture my imagination quite as much.

After lunch (a pasty, of course) we went to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Dad was clearly more inspired and interested by these more formal Victorian gardens. There was a definite attraction to the walled flower and vegetable gardens, glass houses and potting sheds. However, I was too gardened out by this stage to enjoy them fully.

We stayed at Anchorage House B&B nearby. It was very pleasant, as expensive and luxurious as many a hotel, but with a more personal touch. This was both charming, a personal welcome, recommendations of where to visit and eat. And slightly overbearing, being attached to their home some of the rules were a little rigid.

On the Saturday night we went to Revival a small restaurant in the village of Charlestown Harbour. The food was of a very high standard, presented in a modern way. For my main course I had crab and fillet steak. An unusual combination, but one that worked!