Where Nigel Farage lives - quaint village outside of London where house prices have plummeted
MP for Clacton and Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, resides in an idyllic village around 17 miles from Westminster, where house prices reach around £570K but have been falling
Local elections are taking place across England today, with millions of voters heading to their nearest polling station. Hoping to win two or three mayoralties for his party is Nigel Farage, the MP for Clacton and Leader of Reform UK.
But when the 61-year-old politician isn't out campaigning or sitting in parliament, he can be found at his home in the quiet and quaint village of Downe, which is around 17 miles from Westminster. Downe, nestled in the London borough of Bromley, is renowned as the residence of Charles Darwin, the legendary 19th-century naturalist and "godfather" of evolutionary biology.
Situated just a stone's throw from Orpington, the village is enveloped by Kent's countryside, golfing greens and stately private residences. Mr Farage was born in Farnborough, Kent, to Guy and Barbara Farage.
He attended the prestigious Dulwich College, a fee-paying institution whose notable alumni include Jeeves and Wooster author P.G. Wodehouse and Ed Simons of The Chemical Brothers, reports the Express.
Nigel has always stayed true to his roots for Kent, choosing to live in Downe, which shares county lines. He is said to reside in a family home in the picturesque village, and given its swift access to central London, it's hardly shocking that properties there command an average price of £565,833, according to Rightmove data from last year.
The majority of property sales in Downe were semi-detached houses, fetching an average of £681,250. Terraced homes sold for around £335,000. Yet property values in Downe have slumped, as last year they were 50 per cent down from the previous year and 27 per cent down on the 2015 peak of £776,675.
Two TfL bus services, the 146 (Bromley-Downe) and R8 (Orpington-Biggin Hill via Downe), serve the village. It's a convenient 20-minute bus journey from either Bromley South or Orpington stations.
If Mr Farage is in need of a refreshing pint after a busy day in the office, Downe boasts two pubs - The Queens Head and George and Dragon. The former is a family-run, 16th-century traditional country pub, while the latter takes pride in its selection of real ales and seasonal food offerings.
Just a stone's throw away from the village is RAF Biggin Hill. This former fighter base played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940, defending London and south-east England from enemy bombing. This historical tale is narrated at the RAF Biggin Hill Museum and Chapel, where Winston Churchill's "Few" are commemorated.
If the MP is looking to hit the green at the weekend, the area has several courses to choose from, including the private members' West Kent Golf Club, High Elms Golf Course, Cherry Lodge Golf Club and Chelsfield Lakes Golf Course.
The main attraction for visitors to Downe is Darwin's Down House. Here, you can explore the study where the father of evolutionary theory penned On the Origin of Species. English Heritage recognises Darwin's family home as a site of outstanding international significance.
The renowned scientist would take daily walks around a circuit of the house's grounds known as the Sandwalk. He also established a laboratory in a brick hut and cultivated orchids in a greenhouse.
Set amidst gardens that served as Darwin's "living laboratory", visitors can now explore how the naturalist's observations contributed to the development of his pioneering theories.
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