Darwin was staying in Ilkley and taking water cure treatments when On the Origin of Species was published in November 1859.
He finished working on the proofs on 1 October then travelled to Ilkley on 2 October, recording in his diary, ‘I am worn out & must have rest…’.
![]() |
|
Darwin and his family stayed here at Wells Terrace while he took water cure treatments, which included cold water baths.