Downe - Down Court - Single Street - Luxted - Downe

Stephen Harris

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This walk was originally contributed by Michael Vingoe. Walkingworld is very grateful to Stephen Harris for taking over the upkeep, July 2021.

23.07.21 - Walk updated by Stephen Harris.

Down House was the home of Charles Darwin from 1843 until his death, 40 years later. It was here that he wrote 'The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection', first published in 1859.

He withdrew to the quiet countryside around Downe to avoid the activities of the scientific and academic communities in London, preferring to take an interest in village affairs.

Although only 14 miles from Central London, few of his peers visited. Then as now, Downe is not the easiest place to get to!

Whilst extending and improving his family home, Darwin continued with both his evolutionary theories and experimental work on a variety of species such as orchids, barnacles, pigeons and worms, deriving inspiration from his garden and the local environment. This walk is through 'Darwin's Living Landscape', a proposed UNESCO World Heritage site. Down House is open to visitors - details of admission from English Heritage.

England - South England - Kent - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Museum, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Wildlife, Woodland

7/23/2021 - Stephen Harris

Walked 23.07.2021 Thanks to the original author Michael Vingoe for this lovely walk which he has kindly allowed us to take over. Walk has been re-written 23.07.21 as you can only park at Down House if you are visiting so the start point of the original walk has been changed and directions updated. This is a lovely walk with much variety including a lovely farm, meadows, fields, tracks, woodland and great views of the golf course. It is an easy walk and great for a few hours of peaceful countryside relaxation. Downe village is lovely with two pubs, shops, a restaurant or two and a lovely church. Michael, thank you for this lovely walk, we shall take care of it for you.