PHOTOS: Eden Project Morecambe garden wins award on star-studded day at Chelsea Flower Show

The Eden Project Morecambe's 'Bring Me Sunshine' Garden has received top honours and been visited by a host of famous faces at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

A display giving a glimpse at the first garden to be created at the new Morecambe attraction has received a prestigious Silver-Gilt medal and the ‘RHS Environmental Innovation Award’ at the world famous horticultural event.

The award followed a day when some of the country’s biggest stars visited the garden and fell in love with Morecambe.

Visitors to the garden included Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joanna Lumley, Myleene Klass, Bruno Tonioli, Fiona Bruce and Anthea Turner.

There was also a Royal visit.

Queen Camilla was particularly interested in the edible planting and sustainable design features, and after meeting Ruby from Morecambe, 23, spoke warmly about the importance of seeing more young people developing a passion for horticulture.

"A lot of people were surprised because they hadn't heard about Eden Project Morecambe before," said Ruby.

"People who knew Morecambe were really excited to hear about the plans for the town, while those who hadn’t said how beautiful it must be.

"There were so many people coming onto the garden it was a bit overwhelming but hopefully that means that Eden Project Morecambe will be really popular and will bring lots of enjoyment to people."

TV chef Jamie Oliver said: “It’s stunning in every possible way. It’s got natural beauty but also the most incredible sense of design and architecture. The use of light and the abundance of natural product within the structure is absolutely beautiful.

Jamie Oliver with Andy Jasper, Eden Project CEO, and garden designer Harry Holding

“But of course I love it because nearly all of this is edible - which is amazing. You’ve got samphire, fennel, herbs and so much throughout the garden.

“When you’re working with young people, it’s just the best thing in the world. Nature is a beautiful thing, but when you get kids designing and creating spaces, they’re so incredibly creative and unrestrained.

“I love the vision and I love everything the Eden Project represents. As it grows around the world and now in Morecambe. This is amazing. I’m in awe.

“Without question, if you want to vote for one of these incredible gardens for the People’s Choice Award - come on guys, the Eden Project is a beautiful thing. To see it in the flesh is amazing. Get voting.”

A glimpse of the Bring Me Sunshine Garden

Created to mark the Eden Project’s 25th anniversary year, the garden offers the first glimpse of Eden Project Morecambe, the landmark £100m attraction due to open in 2028 and which is set to revitalise the Lancashire coastline.

Designed by Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis and co-created with young adults from Morecambe, the garden combines immersive coastal planting with pioneering sustainable materials including mussel shell boundary panels and terraces crafted using cockle shell by-products.

At its heart sits a solar-powered outdoor classroom designed to inspire pathways into green careers, horticulture, food growing and creative skills development.

“This garden has always been about people, possibility and hope," said Harry Holding.

Harry Holding at the Bring Me Sunshine Garden with Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall

"To receive a Silver Gilt at RHS Chelsea is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved, especially the young people from Morecambe who helped shape the project from the very beginning.

“The response continues to be unbelievable. People have genuinely connected with the story of Morecambe and the optimism behind the project.”

Andy Jasper, CEO of Eden Project, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the awards and incredibly proud of what the team has achieved.

Acting legend Dame Judi Dench visits the Bring Me Sunshine Garden

“More importantly, people have completely embraced the story behind the garden - the creativity, resilience and potential of Morecambe and its young people.

“Today has shown just how excited people are about Eden Project Morecambe and the future of this special town.”

Following the show, the garden - made possible thanks to match-funding from grant-making charity Project Giving Back - will relocate permanently to Morecambe where it will become part of a free public community garden 30 times its current size and outdoor learning space ahead of Eden Project Morecambe opening in 2028.

Work is due to start next month at the central Promenade site in Morecambe, with the 'Bring Me Sunshine' Garden - named with a nod to the signature song of the town's favourite son, Eric Morecambe - to be the first aspect of the new attraction to be created.

The garden featured on BBC2 as part of the BBC’s Chelsea coverage on Tuesday evening.

Voting for the BBC/RHS People’s Choice Award opens today (May 20) giving the public the opportunity to support the garden.

Angela Rippon and Dame Elaine Paige visit the Bring Me Sunshine Garden

“We’d love people to get behind and vote for the Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine Garden," said Mr Jasper.

"This garden is all about Morecambe, its people and its future – and every vote helps us share that story with even more people.”

Silver-Gilt sits between Gold and Silver and is one of the highest accolades awarded by RHS Chelsea Flower Show judges.

Judges praised the technical detail of the sustainable design elements, and its social impact in terms of the local community.

The RHS Environmental Innovation Award recognises sustainable design and eco-friendly construction.

Eric and Little Ern - Morecambe and Wise impersonators Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel - officially launched the garden hot-foot from performing two shows at Morecambe Winter Gardens to celebrate Eric Morecambe's centenary. Here they are pictured with acting legend Nigel Havers.

The Eden Project is an education charity that inspires wonder, hope and positive action for the planet by reconnecting people with the natural world. 

The charity’s work is being celebrated this year through the 25th anniversary of the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Eden Project Morecambe is a £100m scheme being delivered in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University, and is funded by the UK Government.

It is designed to complement and celebrate the heritage of the Promenade, including its iconic neighbouring landmarks – the Midland Hotel and the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens.

A design image of the Eden Project Morecambe

Eden Project says the scheme will extend its charity mission – to reconnect people with natural world and support community, education and nature‑recovery programmes.

Project Giving Back (PGB) is a unique grant-making charity that provides funding for gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. 

Here are more photos of celebrities visiting the Bring Me Sunshine Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Baroness Floella Benjamin

Myleene Klass

Alex Jones from BBC's The One Show

TV presenter Anthea Turner and Mark Armstrong

Katie Knowles, Andy Jasper (Eden Project CEO) and TV presenter Nick Knowles

Read more: Angela Rippon and ‘Eric and Little Ern’ launch Bring Me Sunshine Garden at Chelsea Flower Show - Beyond Radio

Eden Project Morecambe will become a ‘theatre of science like nowhere else on earth’ - Beyond Radio

LISTEN: Excitement builds for team behind Eden Project Morecambe 'Bring Me Sunshine' garden - Beyond Radio