Home of Charles Darwin - Down House
Home of Charles Darwin - Down House
Home of Charles Darwin - Down House
4.5
About
With its unique place in the history of science and evolution, Down House, the family home of world-renowned scientist Charles Darwin, is a must-see. Stand in the study where Darwin wrote 'On the Origin of Species', stroll through the gardens that inspired him, and discover his and wife Emma's newly recreated bedroom which overlooks the gardens. Let Sir David Attenborough take you on an interactive multimedia tour around the house, and discover how the great man developed his ground-breaking theories. Whilst soaking in the knowledge why not visit Emmas Kitchen for a cream tea or delicious light lunch, some of which are inspired by Emma Darwins recipe book itself. Then take a stroll around the beautiful country gardens, making sure you enjoy a lap of Darwins 'thinking path', the sandwalk, which Darwin himself would walk 3 time a day. This stunning hidden gem is not one to be missed. Come and explore today.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
778 reviews
Excellent
474
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236
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49
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10
Terrible
9
Icecreaminthesand
Devon, UK127 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Amazing little house!
Hired a wheelchair, staff super friendly and helpful. You start the tour of the house upstairs (was accessible by lift or stairs).
Lots of early life information on Darwin through to his Beagle voyage, achievements and ultimately his death.
Lots of info boards - but probably the most interesting ones! Lay out was done nicely so that it wasn’t overwhelming. One room has children’s games; chess, dominoes and some dinosaurs. This is super handy if you have younger children who may become tired of the info boards.
Down to the ground floor and the lovely reconstructed rooms. Audio tours (FREE) are helpful so make sure you pick one up.
We then went and had a coffee and cake/snacks. The two younger lads serving appeared genuinely happy to serve you and offer what you wanted before you asked!
Ace customer service from the FOH cafe team. When the snacks came we were given a teeny tiny tomato that had been grown on site. They also had fresh homegrown figs to try. Shout to the the ladies in the kitchen who brought out the food and were really friendly.
Realised they do a garden tour. Managed to get on (FREE) and we weren’t disappointed! The lady who gave the tour was really informative, knew the little stories you want to hear, stories and tales that bring you closer into the home (and mind) of Darwin.
The gift shop was stocked well and they even offered samples of the wine. That was until the wasps decided they wanted a try!
Great day out, great staff, great accessibility.
Hired a wheelchair, staff super friendly and helpful. You start the tour of the house upstairs (was accessible by lift or stairs).
Lots of early life information on Darwin through to his Beagle voyage, achievements and ultimately his death.
Lots of info boards - but probably the most interesting ones! Lay out was done nicely so that it wasn’t overwhelming. One room has children’s games; chess, dominoes and some dinosaurs. This is super handy if you have younger children who may become tired of the info boards.
Down to the ground floor and the lovely reconstructed rooms. Audio tours (FREE) are helpful so make sure you pick one up.
We then went and had a coffee and cake/snacks. The two younger lads serving appeared genuinely happy to serve you and offer what you wanted before you asked!
Ace customer service from the FOH cafe team. When the snacks came we were given a teeny tiny tomato that had been grown on site. They also had fresh homegrown figs to try. Shout to the the ladies in the kitchen who brought out the food and were really friendly.
Realised they do a garden tour. Managed to get on (FREE) and we weren’t disappointed! The lady who gave the tour was really informative, knew the little stories you want to hear, stories and tales that bring you closer into the home (and mind) of Darwin.
The gift shop was stocked well and they even offered samples of the wine. That was until the wasps decided they wanted a try!
Great day out, great staff, great accessibility.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventurers049
Brisbane, Australia3,377 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
What a magical spot.
The displays are excellent and clearly show the travels and research of an amazing man.
The home is full of loving family times.
The displays are excellent and clearly show the travels and research of an amazing man.
The home is full of loving family times.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veggiedyke
Norwich, UK198 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Interesting exhibits on Darwin and his family, though I thought they should have done a bit more on eugenics, considering his son Leonard was big on eugenics and used Darwin's research for that purpose.
Understandably, dogs aren't allowed in the house, so do be aware of that if you go, as one of us had to stay with the dog while the other went in.
Understandably, dogs aren't allowed in the house, so do be aware of that if you go, as one of us had to stay with the dog while the other went in.
Written 19 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BnPnD
Kent44 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Best English heritage visited to date. The house was so informative of the life of Darwin his family and colleagues. Was a privilege to be amongst the place were so much thought and experimental work was completed by such an amazing man. It was good to have the audio for the rooms downstairs and who could be the best for the narration but David Attenborough very interesting to listen to for each ground floor room definitely recommend using the audio. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Cafe was quality food hot coffee and the soup / sandwiches were so fresh and tasty. Soup made from the produce grown in the kitchen garden.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauralazuli
188 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
I recommend using the audio guide. The house section is narrated by David Attenborough. The inside is partly an exhibition about Darwin’s explorations and science, and partly the house set up as it would have been when he and his family lived there. Beautiful gardens. Large picnic area but also a decent selection of food, cakes and drink at the cafe. A lovely visit. Was here approx 2 hours.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sgtkj
Minneapolis, MN76 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
I am a huge history buff and to be able to see sites of tremendous significance is truly a blessing. The British show such a keen commitment to retaining and presenting their role in history and we were delighted to have the opportunity to visit…
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lady_britts
Bexley, UK1,325 contributions
Aug 2023
This is a beautiful property & both the house and its gardens are a pleasure to wander around. There is an exhibition in the upstairs of the house where you can learn about Charles Darwin and his family & then there's a free audio guide for the downstairs rooms and the gardens. With a little tea room with outside seating selling fresh cakes and sandwiches, this is a lovely way to spend a few hours. I must also say that every single member of staff were just lovely. Everyone looked so happy to work there, it was honestly refreshing to see. Lovely day out.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Komali G
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Friends
This was a surprise from a dear friend on our trip to London. I was unprepared for it and was quite overwhelmed after entering the private living quarters of Charles Darwin. Some important rooms of the house were organized just as they were when in use by Charles Darwin. And it was very surreal to see his study, where he essentially wrote the 'origin of species' and to walk along the rooms Sir Darwin walked, which left me crying tears of Joy. Unfortunately, we were only able to spend an hour there. But our short time was made very much memorable by a super duper kind and sweet gentleman named Mr Kim, our Tourguide. Being the last ones there, Mr Kim was kind enough to snap a few pictures of me and my friends outside the house and in the garden which I'll forever cherish. Wish I had more time to go through the entire house and the exhibits. The staff were all very passionate, friendly and helpful. I'm very happy with how well they're looking after the Down house. Cannot recommend it enough to all the science lovers.
Written 5 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara S
Krakow, Poland1,752 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
The place is beautiful and makes it possible to learn more about Darwin's life. It's just sad it was not allowed to take pictures inside. It would be nice to have a chance to take a second look at home or present the place to friends who might be interested to go and see themselves.
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edmund T
1 contribution
Apr 2023
What a fantastic day out for the family (4 & 14) - to be in the rooms where thought was written down that changed the world was incredibly humbling. The staff were so helpful, especially one gentlemen who knew so much about Darwin (I didn’t catch his name but we spoke as we were leaving the car park) - such a peaceful and tranquil place to be. But there are downsides…
In the video playing in the first room you enter, David Attenborough says ‘Darwin would be appalled at how we now treat animals’ - yet there was one vegan option on the menu - a hummus and sun-dried tomato sandwich. No children options and no vegan cakes, the drink options were ocean pollution overlords Coca Cola. There’s such an opportunity in places like this, to show our younger generation there is a future that doesn’t involve suffering - especially in a place such as this.
The second drawback was not being able to take photos inside the museum, I hope this issue can be resolved.
Overall, a fantastic day and I would give it 10 stars for experience, but these issues should really be considered by English Heritage
In the video playing in the first room you enter, David Attenborough says ‘Darwin would be appalled at how we now treat animals’ - yet there was one vegan option on the menu - a hummus and sun-dried tomato sandwich. No children options and no vegan cakes, the drink options were ocean pollution overlords Coca Cola. There’s such an opportunity in places like this, to show our younger generation there is a future that doesn’t involve suffering - especially in a place such as this.
The second drawback was not being able to take photos inside the museum, I hope this issue can be resolved.
Overall, a fantastic day and I would give it 10 stars for experience, but these issues should really be considered by English Heritage
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike A
Caterham, UK
How much is the entry fee?
Christopher O'Shaughnessy
Bromley, UK27 contributions
All details about Down House including prices can be found on the English Heritage website. If you are a member of English Heritage, it's free. Otherwise it's adults £12.70; children £7.60; £11.40 concessions; £33.00 family of 2 adults and up to 3 children.
fixin_kittys
Birmingham, AL
How long does it take to tour the house and grounds?
Graham N
London, UK16 contributions
1 to 2 hours with a cup of tea at the cafe
Terri K
Independence, OH34 contributions
How to get here by public transportation from London easily ?
Graham N
London, UK16 contributions
Easy, get an Oyster travel card from Central London get to London Victoria train station (near and at the back of Buckingham Palace), take a train to Bromley South (approx 20 mins on a fast train), turn right out of the station, bus stop is about 50 yards, get the R8 bus, they leave approx every hour and last stop is Downe Village, the church is on the left, just after the Queens Head pub (east), take the road due west a country road, keep on it and after a 10min walk Down House will be on your right , make sure you have a pint and food if you want in one of the 2 pubs in the village, tea, coffee cakes etc can be purchased in the cafe at Down House, enjoy
jenni
Mount Airy, MD16 contributions
Is there a place to store luggage if we are visiting on the last day of our trip?
DeLaLittle
London, UK186 contributions
I can’t say for certain but I found the staff to be extremely friendly and helpful. Maybe give them a call to check 😊
Kiran B
21 contributions
Are buggies and pushchairs welcome?
EnglishHeritageTA
Godstone, UK1 contribution
Hi Kiran, Yes buggies/pushchairs/ prams are welcome. It is sometimes easier to leave it in our hall ( just ask one of the team) whilst you explore the rooms as some doorways are narrow. There is a lift in the house so you can explore all areas and the garden is pathed so a buggy can get around everywhere you need.
Hello. We are from Argentina and will be visiting London in June (from the 9th to 16th). We will be staying in a hotel close to Hyde Park. I am a biologist and would love to visit Down House. Is there any public transportation to get to Down House from the Hyde Park area? Thank you ahead of time for your response. Eliana
susie1717m
London522 contributions
Is there ample Parking?
Is the house set down small country lanes, only I have a large car and that might be a problem?
Many Thanks 💐
lbmullane
Silver Spring, MD70 contributions
Lots of parking, but the road up from town is narrow and trees hang. Can easily park in town and walk the quarter mile, but no sidewalk for most of the trip.
Jake C
3 contributions
Is it open tommorow as on the website it says closed due to a burst pipe is this sorted out now or is it still closed to public
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Claim your listingHOME OF CHARLES DARWIN - DOWN HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Home of Charles Darwin - Down House
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