# Kent Ramblers Walk 7

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/banner_007.jpg)

## Points of Interest

### High Elms Estate

High Elms House was the home of

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P007a.jpg)

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.

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P007c.jpg)

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).

### Downe Church

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P007b.jpg)

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.

### Public Transport

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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