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John Pye, project director of Eden Project Morecambe, is targeting a 2028 opening for the delayed attraction
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 13 Jun 2025
Construction on the delayed project is expected to begin in summer 2026 Credit: Eden Project Morecambe
The Eden Project Morecambe, a £100m (US$136m, €117m) ecotourism attraction in Lancashire, UK, will open in 2028, project director John Pye has revealed.
The highly-anticipated attraction, described as an “oasis by the sea,” is being developed in partnership with Lancaster University, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council.
It was first announced in 2022, with the project receiving a £50m (US$68m, €59m) investment from the UK’s Levelling Up fund in January 2023.
Construction on the project was originally slated to begin in 2024, but was delayed several times due to funding issues.
Now, however, it seems that the project is getting underway, with Pye, who was appointed project director in March 2025, revealing that the main contractor for the attraction will be appointed by summer 2026, with construction set to begin shortly after.
Eden Project Morecambe will offer several Realms: The Sun (pictured), the Moon, Four Seasons Garden and Public CREDIT: Eden Project Morecambe
The announcement comes after the Eden Project shared several concept images of the attraction, which will be located on the site of the former Bubbles leisure complex on Morecambe’s central promenade.
Eden Project Morecambe is being designed by architecture firm Grimshaw and will serve as a sister site to the first Eden Project attraction in Cornwall, which opened in 2001.
Once complete, the Morecambe location will boast a shell-inspired structure, offering four distinctive zones or “Realms” – the Sun, the Moon, Four Seasons Garden and Public.
Few details have been released about Four Seasons Garden and the Public Realm. The Realm of the Sun, however, will offer a tropical landscape set in the near future in a world where humans have healed the environment and reconnected with nature. It will be anchored by The Elder Tree, a 20m (66ft) statue, and will feature living structures and interactive exhibits. Visitors will also be able to participate in workshops and storytelling.
The Realm of the Moon, meanwhile, will showcase Morecambe Bay and its native species. Features will include a hyper-real rock pool, demonstrating accelerated cycles of the seasons, days and tides for guests to explore.
The Realm of the Sun will feature a spectacular 20m (66ft) statue called The Elder Tree CREDIT: Eden Project Morecambe
“We’ve been working really hard behind the scenes developing incredible plans for this shell-inspired structure, designed by award-winning architects Grimshaw, which will house extraordinary living landscapes and immersive worlds inhabited by world-class art, performance, storytelling, interactive installations and play,” said an Eden Project statement.
“With Morecambe Bay’s tidal range one of the largest in the world, the natural rhythms of nature will underpin all aspects of this exciting project.
“Inspired by the natural geometries, beauty and efficiency of seashells, the architecture of Eden Project Morecambe will be instantly recognisable and will be an emblem of sustainability with a deep connection to place, respecting and complementing the highly valued heritage landmarks nearby.”
Eden Project CEO Andy Jasper added: “This project is profoundly important to us all. It is not just a project for Morecambe, but for the whole of the UK, and we are delighted to share how the design process is progressing.
“Eden Project Morecambe is going to ultimately become the destination from the community, for the community and is developed in tandem with our brilliant partners in Morecambe and throughout the North West and will be something for us all to be proud of.”
Tourism
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