This year sees the celebration of the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of his most famous book “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”. Darwin revolutionised our understanding of nature and evolution and has become a household name: his life fascinates thousands of people who study his works or visit places associated with his life.

A large number of celebrations are taking place this year to celebrate Darwin’s life and work (see Darwin200 programme of events). Many of these are centred on Darwin’s home at Down House which houses a new English Heritage exhibition on his life and work (Down House. The home of Charles Darwin). As part of these celebrations a recent project has been undertaken to create and enhance the PastScape records of those sites and monuments which are connected with Charles Darwin. These range from those associated with his childhood in Shrewsbury to his university studies and his life at Down House.

View the records below: Darwin’s childhood home at The Mount, Shrewsbury The gardens at The Mount Church of St Chad’s where Darwin was baptized Unitarian Church in Shrewsbury where Darwin went with his mother as boy Shrewsbury School attended by Darwin Statue of Charles Darwin outside Shrewsbury School Darwin Gate sculpture, Shrewsbury Christ’s College, Cambridge where Darwin studied Darwin’s lodgings at Sidney Street, Cambridge Darwin’s college rooms in the First Court of Christ's College Bust commemorating Darwin’s centenary in 1909 at Christ’s College New Darwin sculpture at Christ’s College commemorating his bicentenary Fitzwilliam Street, Cambridge where Darwin lodged after his voyage on the Beagle Darwin’s first marital home at 12 Upper Gower Street St Peter's Church, Maer, where Darwin married Darwin’s home at Down House Darwin’s “outside laboratory” in the gardens and grounds of Down House The Reynolds Room, Burlington House, where Darwin presented his paper on evolutionary theory Oxford Natural History Museum, the venue of the "great debate" on evolution and religion The final resting place of Darwin at Westminster Abbey Darwin’s statue at the Natural History Museum The possible remains of HMS Beagle, the ship in which Darwin made his famous voyage

© English Heritage.NMR, Reference Number: DP043719 © English Heritage Photo Library, Reference Number: K000035