A prize draw offering a luxury house in Cornwall has raised a whopping £4.5m towards the Eden Project Morecambe.
Funding from the Omaze Million Pound House Draw will fully pay for the centrepiece Elder Tree inside the planned £100m attraction on Morecambe Promenade, said the Eden Project.
Work is due to start on site this summer, with an official 'breaking ground ceremony' taking place on the central Promenade on Wednesday June 24.
The Eden charity's partnership with entertainment company Omaze had guaranteed a minimum £1m donation towards the scheme.
Eden said the money raised had "secured one of the most significant elements of the new world-class visitor destination due to open in 2028".
Set within two striking, shell-inspired superstructures, the new visitor experience will house immersive Realms - the bright, biodiverse Realm of the Sun and the darker, tidal Realm of the Moon - exploring humanity’s evolving relationship with the natural world.
Eden said the larger of the two realms – the Realm of the Sun – "will form a tropical landscape of the near future, where interactive exhibits, living structures, storytelling and workshops help visitors reconnect with nature’s rhythms".
A design image showing inside the Realm of the Sun
At its centre will stand The Elder Tree – a striking 20m immersive exhibit.
Eden said this will "guide guests from its roots to the hollows of its trunk, revealing memories of ecosystems past and engaging visitors on our human impact on the natural world and how we can reconnect with nature to help restore it".
“We’re deeply grateful to Omaze for their support and to the Omaze community who chose to support the Eden Project through entering," said Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project.
"Every entry has helped bring us one step closer to the transformation happening in Morecambe, making Eden Project Morecambe a reality.
“The funding has specifically secured The Elder Tree – which will sit at the heart of the experience for visitors.
"More than a striking landmark, it will help tell the story of our changing relationship with the natural world and inspire people to imagine what an incredibly positive future could look like.
"We are hugely thankful to everyone who has played a part in making this possible.”
The luxury home (below) is described as "an artful house of glass, timber and steel, where lush gardens overlook uninterrupted views of Cornwall's south east coast".
The partnership with Omaze marks a significant step forward in delivering Eden Project Morecambe, securing a central element of the experience and building momentum as the project moves towards construction.
It also reinforces the scale of opportunity the project represents for the North West - creating jobs, supporting skills development and attracting visitors year-round.
Matt Pohlson, founder and CEO of Omaze, said: "Not only did our lucky winner Darren win the spectacular house in Cornwall, but he was also part of the Omaze community that raised the transformational £4.5m for Eden Project Morecambe, fully funding The Elder Tree, the centrepiece of this extraordinary new destination.
"Everyone at Omaze is incredibly proud to have partnered with Eden Project to help inspire generations to reconnect with the natural world while creating jobs and opportunity across the North West."
Since opening in Cornwall in 2001, the Eden Project has welcomed more than 25m visitors and contributed £6.8bn to the South West economy.
Groundworks begin this summer on vibrant new 1.5‑acre, free-to-enter community gardens on Morecambe Promenade as part of the Eden attraction.
Eden said the award-winning Bring Me Sunshine Garden, co-created with young people from Morecambe and first showcased at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, will "form a welcoming gateway to the site – an early step in bringing Eden Project Morecambe to life and a reflection of its focus on community, skills and opportunity".
The gardens are set to open in spring 2027, ahead of the full Eden Project Morecambe experience, which is scheduled to open in winter 2028.
Eden Project Morecambe is being delivered in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University, with the support of £50m UK Government investment.
A design image of Eden Project Morecambe
Eden said it will be a "major new cultural landmark and global visitor destination for the North of England, attracting visitors year-round and delivering long-term economic, educational and wellbeing benefits for Morecambe, Lancashire and the wider North West".
The Eden Project is an educational charity that demonstrates and inspires positive action for the planet.
Omaze is an entertainment company with a social purpose that has raised more than £100m for UK charities through its Omaze Million Pound House Draw, where entrants get the chance to win guaranteed prizes such as spectacular multi-million-pound homes every month, whilst also supporting incredible causes.
LISTEN: Music day will support Lancaster street angels and help homeless people
LISTEN: Young people to host non-stop 10 hour DJ marathon for Lancaster charity
Lancaster charity boss says funding boost will save lives of mothers and children in Pakistan
Man charged with drink driving after crash in Heysham
New chapter for Morecambe barber as seafront bar set to close
Long-serving Lancaster chippy boss set for third half marathon in six months for hospice
Lancaster movie maker joins forces with Sir Idris Elba on new action film series
Major restoration planned at historic 18th century Lancaster building
Morecambe lifeboat crew issue safety advice for using inflatables after "multiple incidents"
Four people rescued from River Lune
Warnings over fake bank notes being used in Morecambe
LISTEN: Around 100 people strike famous Eric Morecambe pose in joyful celebration
VIDEO: Gardeners hailed as heroes after fire rescue in village near Heysham
Retiring nuclear industry leader returns to Heysham 2 where 40-year career began
Morecambe FC "disappointed" after football regulator issues warning notice
PHOTOS: Prehistoric fun as Dino Fest returns to Lancaster
LISTEN: Lancaster to merge with Preston and Ribble Valley in biggest local government shake-up for 52 years
Couple who fell in love at Lancaster University return to celebrate daughter's graduation
Morecambe FC becomes first club to face action from Independent Football Regulator
Latest Freemen and Freewomen of Lancaster are announced
