Proof, if needed, that the Eden Project really is first class, has come from the Royal Mail, who have included the iconic attraction on a special set of stamps released yesterday.

The new set celebrates ten buildings that represent the renaissance of contemporary architecture in the UK of recent years. The Landmark Buildings issue uses photography to capture the distinctive lines and shapes of these remarkable structures

Other buildings that feature in the set are: London Aquatics Centre; Library of Birmingham; SEC Armadillo, Glasgow; Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh; Giants’ Causeway Visitor Centre, Northern Ireland; National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff; Everyman Theatre, Liverpool; IWM North, Manchester and Blavatnik Building – formerly Switch House - Tate Modern, London.

Philip Parker, stamp strategy manager, Royal Mail, said: “These new stamps celebrate visionary buildings which combine stunning architecture with great engineering.”

Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, said: "We are very proud to be featured on a Royal Mail stamp for the second time and this time in our full glory. It is important to mark the fact that the Eden Project exists because of an inspired decision by the Millennium Commission, the EU and the Regional Development Agency alongside the confidence vested in us by the Nat West Bank.

"A nation is judged by the decisions it makes. We hope that this stamp captures the spirit of an age of confidence in the face of challenge, and an ambition to represent a generation wishing to live sustainably. We who work here love this place and thank the millions of people who have shown their support and interest by continuing to visit us."

Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Grimshaw, said: “The Eden Project’s lasting appeal stems from a basic premise - that man is utterly dependent on plants – and I have been thrilled to see the project continue to beguile visitors ever since its opening day 16 years ago. Eden has been significant in bringing a new understanding of our relationship with the natural world, and I hope it continues to do so for many more years to come.”