Things To Do in Orpington BR6

Places to Visit in Orpington BR6

Stuck for things to do? Bored and want to get out? Weekday, weekend or school holidays, below you will find places to visit in and around the Orpington area.

1. Charles Darwin Down House
   Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Orpington, BR6 7JTDown House was the family home of the world-renowned scientist, Charles Darwin, who wrote “On the Origin of Species”. See the beautiful gardens, the study where Darwin wrote his book and visit Darwin and his wife, Emily’s recently recreated bedroom, which oversees the garden.”We drove from Forest Hill to visit this attraction. It was a tedious trip due to heavy traffic, but well worthwhile. If you have any interest at all in Darwin and his work you will find plenty to entertain and educate you here. Displays were interesting, varied and accessible, providing lots of information about the man, his work, his background and his family. Additionally, the house has beautiful gardens to be explored and enjoyed. You can find additional details on the English Heritage website.”
2. Priory Gardens
   Church Hill, Orpington, BR6 0HH
   Opening times: All year. Daily. Weekdays: open 7.30am to dusk, Weekends and Bank Holidays: open 9.30am to dusk
   Entrance:  fee Entrance free”Priory gardens is by far my favourite place in orpington, I have lived here 26 years, visited it as child and adult and still find little things about it that surprise me! it has a modern play park, grass to play or bathe on, a pond and beautiful gardens! I walk through on my way to the gym and with every season it brings new beauty from changing leaves to woodpeckers! it’s well worth a visit if you come to orpington. just a shame the museum and house are no longer open ..”
3. Crofton Roman Villa
   Crofton Roman Villa Crofton Road, Orpington BR6 8AF
   Opening Time: 10am to 5pm (Closed between 1-2pm)According to the Cofton Roman Villa website, “the Crofton Roman Villa was occupied from about AD 140 to 400 and was the centre of a farming estate of about 500 acres. Nearby would have been farm buildings, surrounded by fields, meadows and woods.”Following from their investigation, the villa was altered many times over a period of 260 years. At one point it is thought to have had at least 20 rooms. Today, in the purpose build covering building, the remains of ten room are visible and give a good indication of live back in the days of Roman Britain.”My wife and I visited here with my 9 year old daughter and 6 year old son.A family ticket cost us £4, and for that we had free reign to wander around the facility and partake in many fun activities. Also included was a guided tour, albeit the bloke who led the tour seemed a little sketchy on some of the history of the site. However, I think generally he knew his stuff, and he was interesting.Others have commented that the exhibition is slightly dated. That’s fair, but I think a very good job has been done to present the site in the most effective way possible, provide information about various aspects of Roman and Celtic life, and provide a specific history of the villa and the surrounding areas.It’s the nature of the history of the villa site that not much has been left intact, but what has been has been presented well, and certain recreations have been made to make it more intelligible.”

   The review goes on to say “There were various activities to take part in too. For instance, the children could get dressed as Romans or Celts, my son and I played a couple of games which were popular in Roman times, the children were able to make mosaics, and for 50p each, my children were able to do brass rubbing. That was something they really enjoyed.As well as the ruin of the villa, there were numerous Roman artefacts on display, which I assume were found on site. These were fascinating, not only for the detail involved, but also for the fact that quite large items (including a very large jug) have survived intact for 1,800 years or so.We spent approximately two hours at the villa, and had a wonderful time. We all learnt a lot, and I appreciate the efforts which have been put into preserving and presenting the villa and the artefacts, and providing fun activities to do.I have plumped for four rather than five as the rating only because there was no toilet on the site. We had to use the toilets in the adjacent Orpington railway station. Luckily the ticket barriers were open, otherwise we may have had to buy a train ticket just to use the loo.”The review finishes with “I would recommend Crofton Roman Villa as a good place to spend a few hours, and learn some useful history of the Romans in Britain.”

4. Walnuts Leisure Centre
   Lych Gate Road, Orpington BR6 0TJThe Walnuts Leisure Centre offers:
   • fitness and swim facilities
   • two pools
   • sauna and steam room
   • an 80 station gym
   • three squash courts
   • a five-court sports hall
   • and a specialist dojo for martial arts.

   For young children there is:

   • a crèche for children from eight weeks to five years
   • children’s sports courses include football (in partnership with the Skills Academy), gymnastics and trampolining
   • main pool
   • our children’s soft play area, the Buzz Zone, are available for private parties.

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Not sure what to do? Check out more things To Do in Orpington BR6 : Go To the Cinema