Down House
WHERE
Downe
What it’s like
Wander round the house where Charles Darwin worked for forty years, then set kids loose on a World Builder trail.
The main event here is the house itself, the actual rooms where Charles Darwin lived and did the work that upended Victorian science. It's not a hands-on science centre with buttons to press, it's a historic home, so it suits kids who can manage a bit of looking and reading rather than needing constant activity. The World Builder trail is the bit that gives them something to actually do as you go round, which helps if you've got a child who flags after ten minutes of portraits and studies.
They reckon on three hours for a visit, and that feels about right once you add in the grounds and a stop at the café. Last entry is 4pm even though the place stays open till 5, so don't turn up at quarter to expecting a full look round. The café does hot and cold drinks, cakes and ice creams, plus proper baguettes in the warmer months and soup when it's cold, with seating both in and out, and picnics are allowed if you'd rather bring your own.
You don't have to book ahead, but booking online by midnight the day before knocks 15% off the price, which is worth doing if you already know your date. Turn up on the day instead and you pay full whack, no discount. Under-fives go free with a ticket you still need to grab, and anyone 5 to 17 needs a proper child ticket.
If anyone in your group is an English Heritage member, that's a decent perk here, it covers up to six children free, which makes a family visit a fair bit cheaper if membership already makes sense for you.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 4pm
- Booking
- Advance booking online by midnight the day before saves 15%
- How long to allow
- 3 hours
- Food
- Café serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice creams, alcoholic drinks, children's lunch bags, homemade baguettes (April-October)
- Worth knowing
- English Heritage members can bring up to 6 children free
- Booking online by midnight the day before saves 15% versus paying on the day
- Last entry is 4pm, a full hour before the site closes
- The World Builder trail gives kids something to do as you go round the house
- Students with an NUS card and over-65s can get concession tickets if they bring ID
Plan your visit
Do we need to book in advance?
No, you can just turn up, but booking online by midnight the day before gets you 15% off. Walk-up tickets on the day are full price.
Is it free for young children?
Under-fives don't pay, though it's worth grabbing them a free infant ticket anyway. Anyone 5 to 17 needs a child ticket.
How long should we plan for?
They suggest around three hours, which covers the house, the trail and a stop for food. Last entry is 4pm, an hour before closing.
What's there to eat?
The café does drinks, cakes and ice creams year round, with baguettes in the warmer months and soup over winter. There's indoor and outdoor seating, or bring a picnic.
Do English Heritage members get anything extra?
Members can bring up to six children in free, which is a decent saving if you're already a member.
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