Boosting Cornwall

Here are some of the things we're proud of:

Providing local employment

By creating a world class, year-round landscape – including hosting a winter ice rink and cultural events during the off-peak season – Eden is able to employ some 650 staff members and give another 300 people the opportunity to volunteer with us.

Creating regional business

Since opening to the public in 2001, Eden has attracted around 13 million visitors and inspired an economic renaissance in Cornwall. Independently verified studies have confirmed that Eden has contributed over £1 billion to the local economy since 2001. Events like the Eden Marathon help promote the local Clay Country as a place to be explored.

Choosing local suppliers

We favour Cornish businesses when choosing retail and catering supplies too – and often work with them to to assess the impact of their products and even to come up with bespoke items that fit our ethical procurement criteria.

Guiding Cornish companies

Our Green Foundation programme offers local companies the chance to take part in a sustainability course to equip them with the tools to get ahead in the low-carbon economy. Another scheme is helping promote the unique Clay Trails.

Inviting Cornwall in

We offer a reduced rate annual pass for residents of Devon and Cornwall, giving them the chance to come in for just £5, and then visit for free throughout the year. We also invite professionals to visit Eden for free at certain times of the year, including teachers, the armed forces, charity workers and volunteers.

Animating St Austell

We're offering free family events, live music gigs, creative workshops and thought-provoking talks in Eden's local town, through our Cornwall Council funded St Austell Live programme to attract more people to the town centre. It's all part of a bigger £9.5 million Eco-communities Programme of Development awarded to Cornwall Council by the Department of Communities and Local Government. See what's on at the Eden Cafe in St Austell.

Hosting and running social projects

Eden collaborates with many different organisations to host social projects at Eden, ranging from days out for the homeless to family growing programmes.

Showcasing local talent

We like to share our fantastic site as an arts venue for the region's performers. Examples include our annual Bright Young Things event for talented young people in the South West, the local acts at the Eden Sessions, and the slots for Cornish choirs during Eden's winter festival.

Talking to our neighbours

Since this place was just a twinkle in our eye, Eden has taken stakeholder consultation seriously, with early team members explaining our vision at village halls around the county.

Ten years on, we still meet regularly with residents in Eden’s Neighbours Forum. Their views have shaped our approach, including the decision to withdraw our planning application for a 127-metre high wind turbine and to explore less visible renewable energy options.