Down House
Down House is the former home of the English naturalist Charles Darwin and his family. It was in this house and garden that Darwin worked on his theory of evolution by natural selection, which he had conceived in London before moving to Down.
| Down House | |
|---|---|
| Location | Luxted Road, Downe, Orpington, BR6 7JT |
| Coordinates | 51°19′53″N 0°3′12″E |
| Area | London Borough of Bromley |
| Owner | English Heritage |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Down House |
| Designated | 31 May 1954 |
| Reference no. | 1038325 |
Location of Down House in London Borough of Bromley | |
The Grade I listed building stands in Luxted Road, one-quarter mile (400 m) south of Downe, a village 14+1⁄4 miles (23 km) south-east of London's Charing Cross. The village was still known as Down when Darwin moved there in 1842. In his day, Downe was a parish in Kent, but it subsequently came under Bromley Rural District. Since 1965, it has lain within the London Borough of Bromley.
The house, garden and grounds are in the guardianship of English Heritage. They have been restored and are open to the public.