Photograph by Derek Kendal (copyright English Heritage)

Darwin moved to Downe to escape the City and was attracted to the area by its peaceful rural characteristics. Darwin said of the area ‘I think I was never in a more perfectly quiet country’ Our aim is to conserve this landscape.

The attractive village of Downe, forms part of the area for the nominated World Heritage Property and often reaches its capacity for cars and visitors but car parking is limited around the village.

Restrictions are in place to control this and we suggest using public transport to ensure maximum enjoyment for all visitors and reduce overcrowding.

Weekends and school holidays are the busiest times in the area. To avoid these times why not visit during the week when parking is more available and numbers are fewer.

We wish to preserve the heritage and landscape of the nominated World Heritage Property for future generations. Please help us in this and consider local residents by respecting the area and following parking restrictions.

146 (Mon-Sun) Bromley to Downe via Keston
246 Bromley to Westerham via Hayes Station, Keston and Leaves Green
320 Bromley to Biggin Hill via Keston and Leaves Green
358 Orpington to Crystal Palace via Farnborough village and Bromley
402 (Mon-Sat) Bromley to Tunbridge Wells via Farnborough village
R2 (Mon-Sat) Petts Wood to Biggin Hill via Orpington, Keston and Leaves Green
R5 (Mon-Sat) Orpington circular to Orpington via Knockholt and Cudham
R8 (Mon-Sat) Orpington to Biggin Hill via Downe
Download the TFL bus route map here

For more details of how to reach places within the Property, including natural history information about some of the areas, also train and bus times, a journey planner and online maps, see http://wildweb.london.gov.uk and http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

1 November - 12 February		Closed
13 February - 31 March		11am - 5pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 April - 30 June		11am – 5pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols
1 July - 31 August		11am – 5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.
1 September - 1 November		11am – 5pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun
21 December – 31 January		Closed
1 February – 31 March		11am - 4pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun
Grounds open 10am

Entry

Adult		£8.80
Concession		£7.50
Child (5-15yrs)		£4.40
Family Ticket (admits 2 adults & 3 children)		£22.00
Children under 5, members/OVP		FREE
English Heritage Members		FREE
Group discounts available. Prices may vary at special events.

Groups must pre-book at least 1 day in advance. Telephone the English Heritage booking line on (+44) 870 6030145

For more information: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Available facilities:

Facilities:		Toilets: Accessible WC on ground floor. Shop: Level accessible. Refreshments: Tearoom on ground floor.
Access to house and grounds:		Access to house: Disabled access via shop. All ground floor rooms are level with seats in every room. First-floor reached by lift and ramp to mount two steps. Access to grounds: Most areas can be reached via gravel paths, including Darwin’s ‘thinking path’ and greenhouses. The gravel can be slippery when wet. The rest of the area is lawn, which cannot be used by wheelchairs.
Parking:		50m from house with separate disabled bays. Level path to house.
Visually impaired visitors:		Interactive exhibition on first floor allowing visitors to touch and participate. The audio is available in French, German Japanese and for those with sight or hearing impairment.

For access to Downe Bank please contact Kent Wildlife Trust

For access to Blackbush Shaw please contact the Woodland Trust

For access to High Elms Country Park please contact the London Borough of Bromley