Downe

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Downe

Downe is a village in the London Borough of Bromley, England.

Downe is south west of Orpington and 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.

Darwin
Buckston Browne Farm
Downe Activity Centre
Stage Door Theatre Group, Downe
Transport
Notable people
Nearest places
References
External links

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.

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.

Downe Activity Centre

The 86 acres of woodland and open fields form Downe Scout Activity Centre just outside the Village of Downe. Owned by The Scout Association the Centre is open to all registered Youth Groups, Schools and Corporate Groups. Welcoming Groups from all over the World the Centre is open 50 weeks of the year and will celebrate its 80th Birthday in 2009. Activities include Climbing, Abseiling, Zip Wire, Archery and much much more. With three indoor accommodation blocks, sleeping a total of 100, and camping for 600 the Centre is busy throughout the year, from local Cub Packs spending the weekend to Year 6 School Groups enjoying a week long activity packed School Journey the Centre has plenty to offer. The Centre has a fantastic place in History. Charles Darwin conducted some of his experiments on the Centre, the Manager's Cottage (built C1500) was the home of the Gamekeeper to Lord Lubbock and Baden Powell visited the Centre on many occasions. Harnessing the 100 years of experience The Scout Association has in offering educational packages to young people, the Centre is a fun packed place to visit empowering young people through a range of challenges and experiences.

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.