Thinking walks on Darwin's paths

A Shropshire garden where a young Charles Darwin took walks to contemplate his future will open to the public this month.

The garden at 9 Darwin Gardens in Mountfields in Shrewsbury belonged to the Darwin family.

The garden, at the back of The Mount, now belongs to Sharon and John Leach who will be opening it on May 31 to raise cash for the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre Appeal.

The appeal needs to raise more than £3 million for a new cancer centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Mrs Leach, a 51-year-old nurse, said the garden included an old ice house and the original thinking trails where a young Darwin would have taken a walk to contemplate his actions and future.

She said: "This is part of the original gardens, hence the name Darwin Gardens. We've got two acres of the original garden.

"That encompasses about an acre of the pleasure garden and an acre of woodland."

Darwin's father Robert used to take him and his brother for a walk in the garden along the thinking paths to help them focus their minds on their futures.

"The idea was to contemplate what they wanted to achieve and contemplate for the day and think about the consequences of their actions," she added.

The garden is due to open from midday until 5pm on May 31, with last entry at 4.30pm.

About five gardens will be open in total, with admission priced at £3 for adults and free for children.

Tickets should be bought from 9 Darwin Gardens and people are asked to park at the pay and display car park in Frankwell.

For more information call (01743) 492396.