Sir Tim Smit

Before Eden, Tim played a key role in the restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a once-forgotten estate that had fallen into ruin after many of its workers went off to fight in World War I, never to return. In the late 1990s, inspired by the idea of creating a place that would explore humanity’s connection to nature and demonstrate the power of collective action, Tim and his team discovered a disused clay pit.

This site would become The Eden Project, an educational charity that’s home to a vast array of plants essential to our daily lives and the health of the planet, nurtured in soil made from ‘waste’ materials and watered by natural rainfall, all within structures inspired by nature. Its transformation embodies the charity’s mission to improve and enhance humanity’s connection with nature. The Eden Project was brought to life with the support of £37.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, helping to turn Tim's vision into a centre for sustainability and environmental education.

Tim said: “The Eden Project was born from a simple idea—that we could create a place where people would reconnect with the natural world and be inspired by what’s possible when we come together with a shared purpose. Thanks to the support from The National Lottery Community Fund, we’ve built something that celebrates the beauty and importance of plants, but also a place that challenges people to think differently about their role in the world. Seeing the impact Eden has had on visitors from all walks of life is a reminder of what can be achieved when imagination and determination are met with the right support.”