We last went to Eden in 2001, and it was wonderful...

We last went to Eden in 2001, and it was wonderful to return and see how it has developed and grown....WOW! We arrived first thing and left 9 hours later and although we had fitted loads in and had been there so long, we had explored at quite a leisurely pace as it's so well signed and laid out, with plenty of areas to sit and relax, and no one was exhausted at the end of the day.
The staff we encountered were all fantastic - so friendly and help. The site is immaculate and so clean. Although we had no pushchairs or wheelchairs, access seemed very good - our party ranged from 3 - 80 years and everyone coped perfectly. The attention to detail is incredible, including low-level hand-driers for children and the environmental responsibility is faultless...from bins accomodating every type of rubbish, freely available water taps and fountains, toilets using rain water, even selling magnets made from recycled plastic cups. If Eden can do this, why can't others...? The trip to Mars experience was brilliant! The exhibitions in The Core were fantastic! Both our daughters (9 and 3) went on the ringo's, which they loved! We all went to the Spiral Garden for the 'Grandparents and Under 5's' activity, which was lovely...I could go on! Quite simply, we can't praise Eden highly enough! Apart from our tickets, the only extra money we spent was on Eden ice creams - which were delicious of course! - and in the gift shop! The experiences and additional activities were all free!
Word of advice...if you want to go to the top of the rainforest, go early...they close the walkway when it reaches a certain temperature. We joined the queue before 10.30 and they closed it just after us...by the time we reached the top, it was almost 40 degrees...it gets hot very quickly and very early! Definitely worth the wait and climb...the view was amazing and even our daughters managed it!
I hope it's not another 17 years before we return! Well done Eden - what you've achieved is absolutely fantastic!!!