Travel and other info

Getting here

Rail

Cornwall is well connected to national rail networks and there are direct trains from London and most other major cities. From London the journey time is about 4.5 hours.

There are two main operating companies that operate the routes into Cornwall.

• First Great Western – www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
• Virgin trains – www.virgintrains.co.uk

The nearest mainline railway stations are St Austell and Par (but not all trains stop at Par).

There is a bus service which connects from St Austell station to the Eden Project (Eden branchline, see below). There is also a taxi rank and the journey is approximately 10 minutes to Eden.

Par is a smaller station which can be reached by a ten minute taxi ride. Taxi numbers are listed below and pre-booking is advised.

Bus

Easy access buses from all over Cornwall to Eden are run by Truronian.

The Eden Branchline service (T9) runs between St Austell Rail Station and the Eden Project and connects with the train timetable (it runs approximately once an hour). Timings for the start and end of the day are shown – you can get the whole timetable on the Truronian website.

The Eden Branchline service (T10) operates twice a day from Newquay, via Newquay Airport to the Eden Project.

For more information on routes and timetables visit the Truronian website at: www.truronian.co.uk

Coach

National Express operates a coach service to and from Cornwall to many UK locations, including most airports for further information visit the National Express website - www.nationalexpress.com

Plane

The nearest airport is Newquay and there are flights from London Stanstead, London Gatwick, Cardiff, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Dublin and Edinburgh. These are run by several different airlines. We suggest you view the Newquay airport website for further information.

www.newquaycornwallairport.com

Exeter Airport is approximately 1.5 hours away (by car) and Bristol Airport is approximately 2.5 hours away (by car). There are connecting public transport services from both.

Car

Eden is easily accessible by road. A map of the route to Eden is available as pdf (requires Adobe Acrobat software) via the following link: www.edenproject.com/visiting/369.html

Taxis

Taxi drop off is in the Banana car park where you will also find toilet facilities and lockers. Some local taxi numbers are -

• Star Cars - 01726 66636
• Spot Cars – 01726 77877
• Yeo's - 01726 814095
• Gary’s Taxis – 07989 963372  (Wheelchair accessible)
• KP Cabs – 01726 815415 (Wheelchair accessible)

Arriving at Eden Project

Arriving by Bus

The drop-off at Eden is in the lowest car park (Apple 1) which is a five minute walk along an easy-access route to the Visitor Centre. The Eden branchline uses easy access buses.

Arriving by Car

Parking at Eden is ample, although the sheer size of the site might necessitate a short walk or park-and-ride bus journey (for free, of course).

Eden car park stewards will direct you where to park. Accessible parking spaces are available in car parks Apple 2 and 3 and Banana to those with a clearly displayed Blue Badge. If you do not have a Blue Badge but would benefit from accessible parking please ask a car park steward on arrival. We would be pleased to arrange access assistance from any of the car park locations if you let us know in advance.

There is a drop-off area in the lowest car park - for directions just ask the car park stewards.

Any further car parking directions will be sent to you as part of your conference joining instructions.

Around the Eden site

A park-and-ride bus service operates throughout the car park system and a Land Train runs from the Visitor Centre to the Stage area just in front of the Biomes. Both vehicles have wheelchair access, although may not be suitable for larger mobility vehicles. There is seating throughout the site.

The Core

This will be the main conference venue.

It is a five minute walk from the Visitor Centre, either down the zig zag path or via the bridge to use the lift. Alternatively, you can catch the Landtrain from the Visitor Centre to the centre of the Eden site and then take a short level walk to the Core.

The Market Place

This will provide a central meeting place and exhibition area from Tuesday to Friday. It is located in the centre of the site, near the biomes. If you have visited Eden before you’ll know it as the location of the summer music sessions, or the winter skating rink.

It is a five minute walk from the Visitor Centre, either down the zig zag path or via the bridge to use the lift. Alternatively, you can catch the Landtrain from the Visitor Centre.

Access assistance

Eden has a team of friendly, enthusiastic volunteers that are happy to assist anyone with mobility or sensory impairments around site. These services are free. Please let us know if you would like to arrange for any assistance.

Accommodation

For a more extensive list of accommodation in the St Austell area please contact:

St Austell Tourist Information Centre

Tel:                0870 445 0244
Fax:               01726 874168
Bookings:      01726 874163
E-mail:           tic@cornish-riviera.co.uk
Website:        www.cornish-riviera.co.uk

The following is a list of accommodation that has been used by Sense of Place delegates in previous years.  Booking early is advised due to the popularity of tourism in this area.  

Campsite

Double Trees Farm
Luxulyan Road
St. Blazey Gate
Par, PL24 2EH
Tel: +44(0)1726 812266

Budget

Cherry Eden House
3 Elm Terrace
North Street
St. Austell, PL25 5QF
Tel: +44(0)1726 68466

Holly House
84 Truro Road
St. Austell, PL25 5JS
Tel: +44(0)1726 70022

Mid Range

Porth Avallen Hotel
Sea Road
Carlyon Bay
St. Austell, PL25 3SG
Tel: +44(0)1726 812802

Premier Travel Inn (opens August 2007 – not on website, but can take bookings by phone)
Treverbyn Road
Carclaze
St. Austell
Tel: 0870 242 8000 (central reservations number)
Tel: +44 1582 567890 (from outside the UK)

Pier House Hotel
Charlestown
St. Austell, PL25 3NJ
Tel: +44(0)1726 67955

Travelodge
Pentewan Road
St. Austell, PL25 5BU
Tel: +44(0)870 191 1660

Top Range

Carlyon Bay Hotel
Sea Road
Carlyon Bay
St. Austell, PL25 3RD
Tel: +44(0)1726 812304