Downe

Description:

Downe is one of the far quieter villages in the area; in appearance it is associated more with Kent than it is with Greater London.   It is located around three and a half miles to the South West of Orpington, and very close to the airport at Biggin Hill.  Downe is very much a rural setting and most of the village is made up of cottages and small houses, the village itself being largely unchanged for many years.  Downe is surrounded by countryside and is the starting point for many country walks.

Downe does not have a main shopping area, the total retail outlets in the Downe amount to two very traditional old pubs; the Queen's Head and the George & Dragon, both serving food and traditional ales; a village teashop and also a highly regarded Indian restaurant.

Downe used to have a school but this has been incorporated into other primaries in the area, the old school building now acts as the village hall.  The church serving Downe is the 13^th century church of St Mary the Virgin.

Down has two significant places of interest, three if you are a member of the Scouts or Guides:

• Downe Scout Activity Centre is an 86 acre campsite owned by the Scout Association, providing indoor and outdoor facilities for camping. The centre offers a huge range of activities, including archery, climbing, swimming, orienteering, and adventure course, to name a few.
• Christmas Tree Farm is a children's zoo with ponies, donkeys, alpacas and all sorts of other traditional farm animals.
• Down House is Downe's most famous and popular tourist attraction, and one of the most popular and well known attractions in the borough. Down House was the home of Charles Darwin and where he wrote his famous book, the Origin of Species. The downstairs of the house is fully furnished in the style of the period and contains various items that were Darwin's possessions. The upstairs of the house contains an exhibition of examples of his life's work. The gardens have been restored in recent years and visitors are welcome to wander in them, treading the same path that Darwin once would have. Down Hose has been nominated for World Heritage Status which is due to be voted on in 2009.

Despite its seemingly secluded position, Downe is served by two buses, the 146 which goes into the centre of Bromley and the R8 which runs between Orpington and Biggin Hill.  The nearest train stations are at Orpington and Chelsfield.

The Stage Door Theatre Group is based in Downe village.  It is a theatre group for youngsters between the ages of 7 and 17 which puts on one major production a year.

During the 1980's, Downe was associated with Buckston Browne Farm, a surgical research centre which made use of vivisection.  This facility has now been redeveloped into a training centre.