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Down House The Home of Charles Darwin Please email us at [email protected].
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Charles Darwin's Home

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168 years ago today, Charles Darwin opened a letter that changed the course of scientific history ✉The sender was Alfred...
18/06/2026

168 years ago today, Charles Darwin opened a letter that changed the course of scientific history ✉

The sender was Alfred Russel Wallace, and the theory enclosed inside was remarkably similar to Darwin's own unpublished ideas on natural selection.

Darwin's utter shock is outlined in his letter to Charles Lyell, where he states he 'never saw a more striking coincidence.'

The letter would ultimately lead to the joint presentation of Darwin and Wallace's ideas at the Linnean Society on 1 July 1858, marking the first public announcement of the theory of natural selection 📜

Bumblebee Weekend is coming up fast! 🐝On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, we're hosting a weekend packed with activities ...
13/06/2026

Bumblebee Weekend is coming up fast! 🐝

On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, we're hosting a weekend packed with activities for all ages in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust 🍯

Book early using the link in the comments and save 15% on admission. Members go free! 💛

Despite the current rain, believe it or not, Summer is right around the corner! ☀And this July we have the perfect way t...
11/06/2026

Despite the current rain, believe it or not, Summer is right around the corner! ☀

And this July we have the perfect way to celebrate with music hosted in our garden every Sunday!

5th - Marmalade Band (Acoustic Duet: 1980s - Now Covers)
12th - The Bluebird Belles (Vintage Trio: 1930s - 50s Classics)
19th - Element Strings (String Duet: Bridgerton Style Soundtrack)
26th - Sam Carlese (Jazz Trio - Classics)

Come and enjoy a range of musicians and singers here at Down House. Stay tuned for more information about each one of our fabulous acts! 🎷🎤🎻

🌊 It's World Ocean Day today! 🌊This day highlights the importance of oceans for life here on Earth, and it was the open ...
08/06/2026

🌊 It's World Ocean Day today! 🌊

This day highlights the importance of oceans for life here on Earth, and it was the open sea that shaped some of Charles Darwin's revolutionary ideas.

Before settling here at Down House, Darwin spent nearly 5 years aboard the HMS Beagle, including roughly 18 months actually out on the open sea!

Want to travel along with him? ⚓You can read about the historic voyage and his adventures out at sea from a few of the books we have in our gift shop!

Happy World Environment Day! 🌍Sometimes the rain is good! 🌧  And Charles Darwin's kitchen garden loves the rain!Every dr...
05/06/2026

Happy World Environment Day! 🌍

Sometimes the rain is good! 🌧 And Charles Darwin's kitchen garden loves the rain!

Every drop of rain sustains the vibrant ecosystem that Darwin loved. We do our part here at Down House to collect the rain water and keep our gardens growing sustainably. It's just one of the many ways Down House is helping the environment and reducing its footprint whilst protecting our living laboratory.

Last year we won a Platinum Green Impact Award for our sustainability driven initiatives. We hope to continue making positive changes throughout the rest of the year and not just on World Environmental Day! ♻

This week is Volunteers' Week 2026 - a national campaign to celebrate and recognise the invaluable contributions of volu...
02/06/2026

This week is Volunteers' Week 2026 - a national campaign to celebrate and recognise the invaluable contributions of volunteers across communities.

Today our volunteers celebrated at their Annual Spring Garden Tour and Picnic!

Despite the rain, the downpour held off briefly for the perfect picture of our volunteers. A BIG thankyou to all of you for all your hard work, enthusiasm and invaluable contribution to Down House! 👏

📸: Sheree

We can't quite believe it's June already... a brand new month! ☀Summer is officially here, and whilst we enjoyed the hea...
01/06/2026

We can't quite believe it's June already... a brand new month! ☀

Summer is officially here, and whilst we enjoyed the heatwave, we are grateful the garden is a little cooler today!

📸: Rob Coate

Happy World Bee Day! 🐝This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the vital role bees and other pollinators play in un...
20/05/2026

Happy World Bee Day! 🐝

This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the vital role bees and other pollinators play in underpinning our food systems, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

Today, habitat loss, pesticides, intensive agriculture and climate change are putting these essential pollinators at risk.

World Bee Day encourages positive change through education, stronger environmental policies and sustainable beekeeping practices 💛

We have our Bumblebee Weekend coming up on 20th–21st June, in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, so make sure to visit and learn all about these lovely creatures and their connection to Charles Darwin.

📸 Sheree Dodd

A beautiful shot of the bluebells at Down House 💜📸 Rob Coate, Senior Gardener
15/05/2026

A beautiful shot of the bluebells at Down House 💜

📸 Rob Coate, Senior Gardener

On 11th May 1820, 206 years ago today, HMS Beagle was launched at Woolwich ⚓Charles Darwin joined Lieutenant Robert Fitz...
11/05/2026

On 11th May 1820, 206 years ago today, HMS Beagle was launched at Woolwich ⚓

Charles Darwin joined Lieutenant Robert FitzRoy for the Beagle’s second voyage from 1831 to 1836. It was during and after this voyage that Darwin began formulating his theory of evolution.

Although it took Darwin two decades to publish On the Origin of Species (1859), it was thanks to the discoveries and observations he made aboard the Beagle that we have this deeply influential and groundbreaking book 💭

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