Downe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates: 51°20′09″N 0°03′24″E / 51.3357°N 0.0567°E
| Downe | |
  Downe shown within Greater London |
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| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| London borough | Bromley |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ORPINGTON |
| Postcode district | BR6 |
| Dialling code | 01689 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| European Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | Orpington |
| London Assembly | Bexley and Bromley |
| List of places: UK • England • London | |
Downe is a village in the London Borough of Bromley, England.
Downe is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) south west of Orpington and 14.2 miles (22.9 km) south east of Charing Cross. Downe lies in a wooded valley, and much of the centre of the village is unchanged; the former village school now acts as the village hall.
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[edit] Darwin
Charles Darwin lived in Down House for 40 years, from 1842 until he died there in 1882. A favourite place of his was Downe Bank, now a nature reserve.
Down House and the surrounding area was nominated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to become a World Heritage Site but has to be resubmitted.
[edit] Buckston Browne Farm
Downe is the location of Buckston Browne Farm, built in 1931 as a surgical research centre by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). In the 1980s, the farm caused controversy because of its use of vivisection techniques, and in August 1984 it was raided by anti-vivisection activists.
The farm is currently being re-developed as a training centre.
[edit] Downe Activity Centre
The 86 acres (350,000 m2) of woodland and open fields form Downe Scout Activity Centre just outside the village.
[edit] Stage Door Theatre Group, Downe
Downe Village is also home to Stage Door Theatre Group (formerly known as the Young Downe Arounders, due to its affiliation with the Downe Arounders Dramatic Society) which presents one major production each academic year, plus other events throughout the season. The group is open to all young people between the ages of 7 and 17. It is managed by a group of adult volunteers and parents. The group was formed in December 2003 by members of the Downe Arounders, its aim is to provide for youth in the community as well as giving young people the opportunity to learn through the experience of performing arts. SDTG is a member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.
[edit] Transport
There are no rail links to the village, but it is served by two hourly bus routes:
- 146 Bromley – Downe
- R8 Biggin Hill - Orpington.
The nearest rail stations are:[1]
- Orpington (5.5 mi/8.9 km; bus R8)
- Bromley South (6 mi/9.7 km; bus 146)
- Bromley North (6.5 mi/10.5 km; bus 146)
[edit] Notable people
- Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species
- Olive Willis (1877–1964), founder of Downe House School
[edit] Nearest places
[edit] References
- ^ "Transport Direct". Transport Direct Consortium. http://www.transportdirect.info/TransportDirect/en/. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
[edit] External links
- Audio tour of Downe and Down House
- Downe Bank Nature Reserve
- Darwin at Downe - World Heritage Site nomination
- Homepage of Stage Door Theatre Group, Downe
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