FALKLAND ISLANDS Darwin

Darwin House was built in the late 1970s to replace the old “Managers House". It is a modern farmhouse with 5 bedrooms available for guests, and a choice of twin, double or family rooms, all offering great views over Choiseul Sound, the picturesque settlement and Wickham Heights.  Two of the family bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, each equipped with a modern spa bath. There is a large and very comfortable lounge with TV and video, a pleasant dining room and a cosy, well-stocked bar. A no-smoking policy is applied throughout the house. 

Your hosts, Ken and Bonnie Greenland, offer a warm welcome in an informal atmosphere, where the emphasis is on the good things of country life.

From Darwin House you can  explore Lafonia and the costs of both Falkland and Choiseul Sound. Other activities include golf at the neighboring settlement of Goose Green, pony trekking over coastal or mountain wilderness from nearby Swan Inlet, fishing, boat excursions, battlefield tours, and visits to British and Argentine Military Cemeteries.

ABOUT DARWIN:
Named after Charles Darwin, who spent some time here during his travels, the settlement was established in 1859 as a centre first for cattle ranching, and later for sheep farming. At the height of its development, the Darwin community boasted, in addition to the many shepherds and farm hands, master craftsmen, a doctor, a school master, and even a parson. By 1920, however, the site had become too small for the thriving settlement, and over the next 2 years, all the farm buildings, the church, and most of the houses were transferred to Goose Green (just 2 kms from Darwin).

Goose Green became a household name during the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina, and Darwin Lodge offers guided tours of the San Carlos and Goose Green area.  During these you will get to visit the British and Argentine cemeteries as well as other memorials and the battlefields.   A visit to Bodie Creek Bridge is also worthwhile as it is the world’s southernmost suspension bridge.   Other activities at Darwin include angling, rather interesting golf on their own 9 hole par 3 course, and excellent walking.  Boating in the sheltered waters of Choiseul Sound and other excursions are also available when other commitments allow. For those with their own transport, Darwin provides an ideal base for the exploration of Lafonia and the eastern shore of Falkland Sound.   The lodge’s waterfront setting means that it is a great place to start your wildlife watching as well – Night herons, Ruddy-headed and Upland geese, and Blackish oystercatchers are almost certainties.  There is a Gentoo penguin colony at Newhaven which is about a 30 minute drive from Darwin. 

Near the quay at Darwin is the Vicar of Bray (1841) which took part in the California gold rush.eing the nearest tourist accommodation to Mount Pleasant Airport, Darwin House is the ideal place to start or finish your visit to the Falkland Islands. The lodge will provide independent transportation to or from Mount Pleasant, and having Darwin airstrip right on the doorstep means they are conveniently placed for local flights to other settlements.