Wednesday 6 November 2013

Down House

Down House - the home of  Charles Darwin. As I am planning to go to the Galapagos in February, I thought it was about time I visited the home of Darwin which is about 10 miles from where I live.


 Darwin moved to Down House with his family in September 1842, and lived there for 40 years until he died in 1882. It was here that he developed his theory of natural selection and wrote his most famous book 'On the origin of species'. As with so many of these homes and museums, photography was strictly forbidden so I could only take photos of the outside.

It is a pity I cannot show you his home with the study as it was when he lived there. He had a large family of 10 children of whom 7 survived to adulthood. His wife, Emma, was from the very famous Wedgewood family.

He studied a wide range of plants and animals within his local surroundings as he developed his theory of evolution. As a consequence it is possible that his house and the surrounding area will eventually become a World Heritage Site.

 

 

 


In the centre of my local town  Bromley in Kent there is a mural charting his achievements. 







12 comments:

  1. Never knew he lived in Bromley, think I may have to visit the place sometime

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  2. Interesting place to visit. Love the greenery hanging down the outside of the house.

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  3. Did not know about this home! Would have visited! And you are going to the Galapagos!!! Oh lucky you!!

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  4. I suppose seven out of ten children surviving back then is average. Sad stats though. The mural is wonderful.

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  5. I was so surprised that there was not any sign in the Chagall museum in Nice (France) that it was forbidden to take photos! Thanks for visiting me on my wordpress blog:)

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  6. He lived in a very nice house. It seems the policy for photographing in museums has changed everywhere. Here it is the same, an international complot! So you have planned an interesting travel again, looking forward to your pictures by then.

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  7. I guess he needed a big house for all those children! Is that a water pump in front of the mural? It's quite beautiful.

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  8. Looks lovely yet another to add to my to visit list!!

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  9. More travels. Wonderful for you.

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  10. He lived in a handsome home on a beautiful property.

    WOW! You are going to the Galapagos Islands!

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  11. Beautiful House! love the mural..

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  12. I hope it does become a heritage site. I saw the movie made of his life. It was very interesting and frustrating because people wouldn't take his ideas seriously.

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