Located off Luxted Road in the Bromley village of Downe, that during Darwin’s time would have been considered Kent, Down House served as the family home of the Darwin family from 1842 until his death in 1882.
The house is just 20 minutes drive from Bromley or a short walk from Downe Village, which you can reach by the 146 bus from Bromley.
Now owned by English Heritage, the house itself has been turned into a museum, with most of the downstairs of the house remaining as it would have during Darwin’s residence.
It holds a large collection of natural specimens as well as the drawing room as it would have been when the family lived there.
During a visit you can request a free audio guide narrated by world-famous naturalist David Attenborough, who gives an insightful commentary into Darwin’s life and time in Downe.
Upstairs you’ll find an exhibition showcasing Darwin’s life before turning to writing and naturalism, his time on the HMS Beagle, and the writing of his book “An Origin of Species”.
One of the house’s highlights are its grounds and gardens, which are currently blooming with spring flowers like daffodils, blossoms and wisteria.
On a walk around the gardens, you’ll spot the many experiments that Darwin conducted, along with the Kitchen Garden tended to by his wife Emma and the Victorian greenhouse.
If you fancy taking a longer walk, you can retrace Darwin’s steps on the Sandwalk, which he used to regularly take when he needed to think.
If you feel like stopping off for a tea, you’ll find the on-site café with indoor and outdoor seating serving hot foods, cakes and tea, or if you fancy bringing a picnic the grounds also have picnic tables located in the picnic garden.
Afterwards you can take a walk or drive to the village and stop off at The Queen’s Head Pub which was a spot where Darwin often drank in the village.
