Down and out

Down House in Kent, which was the former home of British naturalist Charles Darwin, has failed in its latest bid to be recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The house is where Darwin conducted many of his studies and developed his famous theory of evolution, but has not been added to UNESCO’s list of 911 crucial landmarks for our world.

UNESCO’s committee concluded that Down House does not fulfil the criteria for ‘outstanding universal value’ and that further in-depth analysis is needed. However, critics have speculated that anti-Darwinist views among some committee members may have influenced the decision.

English Heritage, which manages Down House, said it was disappointed with the decision but will continue to highlight the house’s global scientific importance, before deciding on its next steps to try and secure World Heritage status.