High Elms House was the home of
John Lubbock, first Lord Avebury, whose claims to fame are many. He was a keen naturalist and anthropologist; a friend and supporter of Charles Darwin who lived at Downe; a banker, politician and social reformer. He saved Avebury stone circle from developers and was responsible for introducing bank holidays. He died in 1913.
The house burned down in 1967 but the estate survives for public use in the ownership of the London Borough of Bromley.
There is a Nature Centre open from 11 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays and a caf' open daily from 9:30 until 5:00 (4:00 in winter).
In the churchyard is a memorial to Charles Darwin, his wife Emma and his brother Erasmus. However Charles is not buried here as he had wished, but in Westminster Abbey.
Bus service R8 runs from Orpington railway station to High Elms and then to Downe which might be a more convenient starting point for those not using a car.
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