News

3 September 2026, 7pm BST Join Charles Darwin Trust Trustee James T. Costa and Wallace expert George Beccaloni for a free New Scientist online event exploring how Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed the theory of natural selection, and the...

Discover the world of microscopy at Down House on 22–23 August, with a special weekend organised by English Heritage in collaboration with the Quekett Microscopical Club. Explore how Charles Darwin used microscopes in his research, see microscopy in action today, and...

Charles Darwin Trust Trustee Prof. Jim Costa has returned from leading a field course in Ecuador, where participants explored the country's extraordinary biodiversity while learning about evolution, ecology and conservation in the field. Read more about the expedition...

The trustees of the Charles Darwin Trust met in person at Down House for one of our regular trustee meetings. While we usually meet online, it was a real pleasure to spend time together at such a special place, enjoy the gardens, and meet some of the wonderful staff...

Sat 16 May 2026  1 - 4pm Visit Down House for a talk from James Costa for the launch of his new book penned with Elizabeth E Yale ‘The Descent of Man- An Annotated Edition of Charles Darwin’s Classic Work’ followed by a tour of the garden with the Down House Head...

In a wonderful new interview for the Gardeners’ World podcast, Down House Head Gardener Antony O’Rourke takes us behind the garden walls. Antony beautifully brings Darwin’s "living laboratory" to life, sharing how the grounds weren't just a place of beauty, but the...

We are looking forward to an upcoming international event taking place this May at the Orto Botanico di Padova in Italy, the oldest university botanic garden in the world and UNESCO World heritage Site.  Our Trustee, Chiara Ceci, and Down House Head Gardener, Antony...

James Costa and Elizabeth Yale will be speaking in Cambridge to present their new book The Descent of Man: An Annotated Edition of Darwin’s Classic Work. Their talk will take place on 13 May at 5.30-6.30pm at the Department of Zoology, Main Lecture Theatre, New...

Some of our Trustees (from left to right: Sarah Darwin, Karen Goldie-Morrison and Claire Barlow) recently met at the Linnean Society to celebrate that in 2025 there was the landmark announcement that the Charles Darwin Archive has been inscribed onto the UNESCO...

We are thrilled to launch the refreshed home of The Charles Darwin Trust. Explore our Darwin-Inspired resources, dive into our latest educational research, and discover new ways to investigate the natural world. Be inspired to observe, learn, and research nature with...