Wild Cornwall
Wild Cornwall is a beautiful exhibit on the west side of the outdoor landscape (technically known as the outdoor biome) at Eden. When you enter Wild Cornwall you are taken on a journey through the many varied habitats of the county.
Eden’s Green Team have recreated different areas of the Cornish landscape for you to explore. Travel through Cornish Heathland; experience the magical Atlantic Woodland; discover fascinating facts about Cornish Hedges; enjoy the beautiful colours and smells of the Cornish Wayside and learn about Cornish farming practices in the Pasture and Field.
You can also discover the facts behind the work going on across the Cornish clay lands to landscape the huge slag heaps of the old clay pits. It was partly this restoration work that gave Eden the confidence to transform a sterile pit into a global garden.
Video - the four minute tour
Horticultural Supervisor Darren Topps is one of Eden’s Green Team members responsible for Wild Cornwall. In this video he takes us on a whistle-stop tour.
Wild Cornwall Photo Slideshow
Best time to visit Wild Cornwall
Beautiful and atmospheric all year round but in its prime from May when the wild flowers start to come through, followed by the heath flowers in the late summer.
Magic and history
Cornwall is a magical and historical place and our Wild Cornwall exhibit certainly captures that. Take time during your visit to soak up the spirituality and special atmosphere.
Art in Wild Cornwall
The Cloud Chamber by Chris Drury
Stone Carving and sculptures from Peter Martin and Sarah Stewart-Smith
Atlantic woodland tree sculptures from Kate Munro
Conserving and promoting Cornwall’s unique landscape and wildlife
How much do you know about the varied and unique landscapes, habitats and wildlife of Cornwall? They are of great ecological, economic, historic and cultural importance but some of them are in long-term decline.
Did you know for instance that due to modern farming techniques and other development issues Cornwall has lost more than 90 per cent of its heathlands since 1800. Plants and animals dependant upon heathlands have declined as their habitat has drastically reduced. Heathlands are now regarded as one of the rarest and most fragile environments in Europe today.
In Wild Cornwall we highlight some of those species which are most at risk in Cornwall, and show some of the reasons for their vulnerability. You can also find out which Cornish plants are endangered and what we can do to help conserve them.
What else is Eden doing to support conservation in the county of Cornwall?
Eden is involved in the projects below all working towards the same goal of conserving and promoting Cornwall’s landscapes and wildlife.
The HEATH Project
HEATH works to restore heathlands on sites in North West Europe
Cornwall Biodiversity Initiative
The Cornwall Biodiversity Initiative oversees the delivery of the Cornwall Biodiversity Action Plan
Atlantic Coast and Valleys project
ACVP is a landscape restoration project on the north coast of Cornwall.
Want to find out more about these issues?
Websites
The Heath Project
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
RSPB South west
Counwall County Council
Environment Agency Southwest
Natural England South West
Plantlife
Books
Xploring Wild Cornwall a guide to help you explore Cornwall's landscape in a different way. Proceeds from the book go to further the work of the Cornwall Biodiversity Initiative.
Buy it in our online shop
What can you do?
• Take family and friends to discover these landscapes for yourself
• Investigate what’s happening in your local area
• Join one of the organisations listed above
• Volunteer at one of the organisations listed above
Glossary
Semi-natural habitats
Habitats containing natural elements but modified by human activity
Heathland
Habitat on low nutrient often acidic soils. Vegetation typically includes gorse, heather, grasses.
Lowland Heath
Heathland usually below 300 metres altitude.
Biodiversity
The variety of all plant and animal life.
Atlantic Woodland
Woodlands of, amongst others, oak, ash and hazel.
Wayside
Road / track sides and verges which can be a resource for biodiversity
In your garden...
Why not try these Meadow seed mixes from our online shop?
Standard Meadow Mix
The original mix that produces stunning displays from late June until November, starting out with white, blues, pinks and reds, turning to reds, orange and yellow in the autumn. The mix has been carefully balanced for colour and succession of display. Major components include: Shirley Poppy, Californian Poppy, Cornflower, Fairy Toadflax, Red Flax, Bishop's Flower, Tickseed and Corn Marigold, Black-eyed Susan, Red Orache and Larkspur.
Contrasting meadow mix seeds
A vibrant mix with a combination of orange and yellow with contrasting blue components. Throwing together species like Cornflower, Red and Blue Flaxs and Larkspur.
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