The Eden Project defies classification being somewhere between a garden theme park and a horticultural and environmental science exposition. But don't let the description of 'theme park' put you off as this is about as far from Disneyland as it is possible to be as The Eden Project is loaded with positive values and celebrates nature and mankind's place within it.

Essentially the place is divided into three climate precincts - Mediterranean and Tropical within giant domed 'Biomes' and the Cornish natives naturally in the open air.

Starting with the local flora, they have made excellent use of the dish-shaped location of the old clay pit by cutting zig-zagging paths and planting many groundcovers on the steeper banks. 

This area also provides space for their 'evangelist' exhibits like the Industrial Flame Plant (Flamacea family) decrying the callousness of industrial society, the WEE man - a giant sculpture of waste electrical products, a global warming greenhouse and a plea to save our bees.

But there are plenty of great displays of local flora too with great swathes of daffodils, tulips and hyacinth in spring along with all the flowering trees and shrubs later in the season. 

Of special note are the hugely colourful areas of 'heath' otherwise known as Erica.

The Mediterannean climate biome is kept at a comfortable and dry temperature and combines all the key plants of the south of Europe, north Africa, California and southern Oceania. 

The European areas in particular have been adorned with cultural elements evoking Spain, Greece and Italy. But this is quite definitely not tacky, everything is done tastefully with the plants always taking front of stage.

The Tropical biome for many visitors will be very exotic and amazing, with a few warnings strategically placed for those who find the heat and humidity challenging. 

This is a truly enormous series of domes and the size of the plantings is (and I use this word rarely) awesome - not just in area but in height.  Some of the trees are now so tall that they are pruned via hot air balloon with the gardener slung in a harness beneath.

But as one who often visits tropical rainforest in Australia, I can attest that they have succeeded magnificently in re-creating an authentic environment with a massive collection of plants. 

Again they are reinforced with physical and cultural elements - the most spectacular being the waterfall that enters the biome at the highest point, sending water plummeting onto rocks and off into a maze of rushing rivulets and streams that spread throughout, providing wonderful background sounds and smells.

There are many other areas within the overall Project including an education pavilion and a kids zone along with plenty of areas featuring open air plant displays and other environmental issues.

But the ethos of the Eden Project is ever-present wherever you go - though it is not intrusive, maybe because this reviewer is sympathetic to their messages.

Tim Smit had a dream while creating The Lost Gardens of Heligan and this is the result - an astounding creation that has been wildly successful for Cornish and British tourism for very good reason. Everyone can enjoy this place, be they keen gardeners, botanists, environmentalists, scientists, or just everyday people.

It is no typical garden visit though.