Description

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 10/07/2014

TQ 46 SW 12/158

DOWNE
LUXTED ROAD
Down House

(Formerly listed as Downe House)

31.5.54.

I
This house would be Grade II on architectural grounds but is Grade I for historical associations. It was occupied by Charles Darwin from 1842-1882. "The Origin of the Species" was written here, and Darwin died in the house on the 19 April 1882. It was now a museum, and Darwin's study is preserved as far as possible as it was in his day. The building consists of a centre and 2 wings. The centre dates from early C19. 3 storeys 5 windows. Stuccoed. Wide eaves cornice. Hipped slate roof. Windows with segmental heads and glazing bars missing. The South-East wing is gabled and probably older than the main block. 2 storeys of 2 windows, plus one round-headed window and also an attic window in the gable. Stuccoed front. The North-West wing is a mid-late C19 addition made by Darwin containing his new study. 2 storeys. 3 windows. Cemented front, but attached to it is an early C19 block and a verandah to the North-West added wing. Inset in the front garden wall facing the road is a tablet recording:-

"Here Darwin thought and worked for forty years and died 1882".

Listing NGR: TQ4317861121

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Down House at Wikipedia
• Down House official website
• Wikidata Q3038318

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)