Down House near Orpington in Kent was the home of the great scientist Charles Darwin. Having been spruced up with a new education room and restored gardens, the house and restored gardens will re-open on 13 February 2009 with an exciting exhibition to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, 'On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection'.
Down House, Charles Darwin’s home © English Heritage photo library
Three new English Heritage Discovery Visits will also be available at Down House from April 2009. Developed in partnership with the Charles Darwin Trust, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, and the London and Marjorie McClure School, a school for children with special educational needs, the Discovery Visits are both physically and intellectually accessible to children with special educational needs as well as suitable for schools in general.
Down House Discovery Visits
Darwin the man (history, key stages 2 and 3) uses role-play, discussion and observation to learn about Darwin the person and discover his thoughts on his great discoveries, his voyages and life at Down House.
The Darwins: a Victorian family (history, key stage 2) combines hands-on activities, games and discussion about Victorian pastimes, home life and family values to investigate whether Darwin’s family was typical of its time.
In Darwin's garden (science, key stages 2 and 3), students can explore the gardens that inspired Darwin’s scientific research, observe the natural world as he observed it, investigate how Darwin came to his conclusions - and reach their own.
Each Discovery Visit costs £75 per school group, lasts 90 minutes and is available weekdays during term time by arrangement. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/education or phone to book (at least two weeks in advance) on 020 7499 5676 (extension 24).
