http://www.nhm.ac.uk/tring/tring.html (The Risc Disc Volume 2, ~04/1995)
Lional Walter Rothschild spent much of his time and personal wealth in the pursuit of his favourite occupation, the study of Natural History. Amongst his many claims to fame were his carriage team of zebras. When Walter Rothschild was 21 his father the first Baron Rothschild gave him land at Tring in Hertfordshire. Here he built a museum to hold his private collection of specimens and books.
By 1892 the collection had already grown to over 4000 mammal and bird specimens on display and 40,000 bird skins and over 500 000 insects in the study collections. As the collections grew more accomodation was built for the collections of eggs and for the library and to make more space for the public galleries. Walter Rothschild died in 1937 when he bequeathed his entire collection to the Trustees of the British Museum.
Although under no obligation to display his collections, Rothschild had been devoted to the public galleries. The specimen displays, including rare examples of the extinct quagga, Carolina parakeet and Tasmanian wolf, personally chosen, were among the finest to be seen anywhere. Today these displays have been preserved and can be seen much as they were then, while around the Museum has grown the attractive village of Tring.
The Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP.
By road from London.
Tring is on the A41, 7 miles SE of Aylesbury and 33 miles from London.
By Public Transport.
By train from London Euston Station. The Tring train station lies some distance from the village, it is advisable to catch the local T3 bus into the village (contact the local transport authority for the latest details).
Monday to Saturday 10.00-17.00
Sunday 14.00-17.00
The Zoology Museum closes 24-26 December.
Admission is charged although entrance is free from 16.00 Monday-Friday and from 16.30 weekends and bank holidays.
+44 (0)442 824181
Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) is world renowned for his still controversial book On the Origin of Species(1859). It was this work which ignited the debate on the origins of life, and Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection ensured his place in scientific history.
As a young man Darwin made an epic, 5 year voyage on board HMS Beagle. This journey of discovery bought him into close contact with the varied and exotic life-forms, both living and extinct, around the globe. His careful observations during the voyage ultimately led him to his ideas on how this amazing variety came into being.
From 1842 until his death forty years later, Darwin lived at Down House in Kent. He moved there with his wife Emma and their first two children. Here in tranquil isolation, disturbed only by the rituals of Victorian domestic life, Darwin pursued his scientific work.
Even at the time of Darwin's death his fame drew visitors to the house. Today it is kept as a museum to preserve his home and to promote understanding of Darwin's work. The study is kept as Darwin left it and is open to those who come and pay their respects.
The Darwin Museum, Down House, Downe, Kent BR6 7JT
By road from London.
Via the A21 to Bromley and Orpington, signposted at Farnborough and the A233 near Biggin Hill.
By Public Transport.
By train to Bromley South and then bus No. 146, or to Orpington and then bus R-2 to Downe (No service on Sundays, contact local transport authority for details).
The Museum is closed on Mondays (except bank holidays) and Tuesdays. It is also closed in February and from mid December until New Year's Day.
+44 (0)689 859119 For further information including how you can help to support the development of this important historic building.