The huge new Eden Project attraction set to open in overlooked UK seaside town
A NEW Eden Project attraction is opening in a seaside town – although the latest plans show a much smaller one that previously announced.
Eden Project Morecambe in Lancaster is set to cost £100million and include two shell-shaped domes with gardens inspired by the coast.
In the most recent plans, the proposal for Eden Project Morecambe has been updated and submitted to Lancaster City Council.
The changes to the new attraction came after both residents and councilors raised concerns over the impact it would have on some of the nearby landmarks such as the Midland Hotel and Winter Gardens venue, as well as the rising costs.
Plans originally approved in 2022 included four domes, but now the plan includes only two domes which will be called Realm of the Sun and Realm of the Moon.
The Eden Project previously said that the Realm of the Sun will be “a bright, tropical landscape of the near future where humans have discovered how to heal and re-engage with the broken rhythms of the natural world around them”.
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The Realm of the Sun is planned to adapt to both the hot and cold seasons too.
Plans also revealed that in the Realm of the Sun, there will be vertical plants, hanging mini gardens, a multi-sensory area, a cascading waterfall, a 20-metre Elder Tree sculpture and a ‘Town Square’, but it is unclear how much of this will now go ahead.
As for the Realm of the Moon – it will be a darker space, with a “hyper-real rock pool” that has sped-up cycles of tides.
The two domes will then be connected by an area called Metronome, where visitors will be able to purchase tickets from.
Changes to the plans also mean there will be more outside areas with coastal plants and links to animals and human life.
According to the BBC, the report states: “The proposal continues to be a major new mixed-use attraction in Morecambe.
“It will combine a range of indoor and outdoor experiences, all based on connecting people with Morecambe Bay.
“The applicant has also engaged with other organisations particularly in relation to ecology, cultural heritage and transport.”
The first phase that will be built is a community space spanning 1.5 acres and called Bring Me Sunshine.
The space will be inspired by the landscape and seaside.
In addition, there will be a 750-capacity Tidal Theatre, 300-capacity restaurant and a shop.
To prevent flood damage, the revised plans include a new landscaped garden and sea defence area, that will wrap around the attraction by the beach and feature raised walkways.
The full attraction is expected to open to the public in 2028, after being pushed back from 2026.
Once the attraction does open, visitors will be able to interact with different exhibits including living structures, participate in storytelling sessions and try out workshops.
In total, eight concerts or events are planned for Eden Project Morecambe each summer, set to each attract 6,000 people.
The new attraction will be sat right by the beach on the former site of the Bubbles Leisure complex.
Original plans included three outdoor gardens, named All Seasons Garden, the Bring Me Sunshine Garden and the Rhythm Gardens.
And it isn’t the only new Eden Project site set to open in the UK – there are also plans to open an Eden Project in Dundee.
In the meantime, Morecambe itself is a pretty seaside town to explore and it is often overlooked.
It is known for having a five-mile bay with pretty sunsets over the Lakeland Fells.
If you visit on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, make sure to check out Festival Market – it features over 70 stalls selling local goods, food and gifts.
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