Tour Darwin’s England

Nipissing Biology professor, Dr. Peter Nosko invites all members of the university community to take part in a personally designed tour of Darwin’s England. The tour, which takes place May 13-22, 2013, is inspired by Nosko’s presentations relating to the life and travels of British naturalist, Charles Darwin. In partnership with EF Tours, the trip encompasses a wide variety of stops and activities that will appeal to the naturalist, gardener, historian, royal watcher and tourist. The itinerary includes visits to Cambridge, London and Downe Village.

In Cambridge, tour the Botanic Gardens that were founded by the Botany Professor who was responsible for Darwin’s participation on the Beagle Voyage, see specimens collected by Darwin on this voyage at The Museum of Zoology, and visit colleges of the University such as Christ’s College where Darwin resided as a student. You can also have lunch at the Eagle Pub where frequent patrons James Watson and Francis Crick announced their discovery of the structure of DNA. In your free time, explore the campus of one of the world’s oldest and most famous universities, punt on the River Cam or visit some of the many important Cambridge museums such as the Fitzwilliam Museum, Scott Polar Museum or Imperial War Museum.

Darwin-related destinations in London include the Natural History Museum and its new Darwin Centre, Kew Gardens, Westminster Abbey and John Murray Publishers.

You will have free time to visit famous London landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace or the British Museum. Go shopping in Sloane Square and the King’s Road, Harrods, Covent Garden or the Portebello Road Market in Notting Hill. Check out Hamley’s, the world’s largest toy shop, and the Liberty Department Store on Regent Street. Participate in one of the many excellent London Walking Tours with themes such as Pubs, the Beatles, Harry Potter, Charles Dickens, Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper.

From London, you will be transported to Down House near the village of Downe in Kent.  Explore the interior of Down House, Charles Darwin’s country home; see the study where he wrote his famous books and get a sense of how the Darwin family lived in this pastoral setting. See the orchids and insectivorous plants in Darwin’s greenhouse and the extensive experimental and kitchen gardens.Think lofty thoughts as you stroll on Darwin’s Sandwalk. In the village, visit St. Mary’s church where the Darwin family regularly attended, and its graveyard, where most of the Darwin family is buried. Have some refreshment at one of the two village pubs where Darwin, no doubt, hoisted a pint or two.

The tour features one all-inclusive price, an easy payment plan, flexible arrival or departure dates (if you want to come earlier or leave later), flexible itinerary (if there’s something you would rather see), lots of free time and a full-time guide on hand.

For more information or to enrol online visit: www.eftours.ca/student - enter the Tour ID:1106401, or contact Peter Nosko at petern@nipissingu.ca