Charles Darwin's garden of evolution at Down House, with head gardener Antony O'Rourke

Charles Darwin's garden of evolution at Down House, with head gardener Antony O'Rourke

April 15, 2026 · 30 min · Season 26 · Episode 19

About this episode

The episode explores Charles Darwin's garden at Down House and its significance in his research and biodiversity.

Discover Down House in Kent where Charles Darwin lived for 40 years and carried out world-changing research in his domestic family garden. This re-created Victorian garden includes an historic glasshouse of carnivorous plants, kitchen garden and surrounding meadows that supported Darwin’s accessible experiments connecting the site today to biodiversity, native planting, organic gardening and wildlife-friendly habitats. Visit the Down House in the BBC Gardeners' World 2-4-1 gardens scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Guest: Antony O'Rourke

Topics covered

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Gardeners' World

Places: Down House, Kent

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