[2] Unusually for a namesake of a Kent college, Darwin had strong connections to the historic county of Kent, having lived in Down House at Downe (now in the London Borough of Bromley) for the last forty years of his life.

Other names considered in the lengthy process included: The name was eventually decided by a postal ballot of members of the Senate, choosing from a shortlist of Attlee, Conrad, Darwin, Elgar, Maitland, Marlowe and Tyler.

Weekly DSC meetings plan college events, such as the Masquerade Ball, discuss issues affecting students, which campaigns to run, and receive and pass on important messages from Kent Union and their sabbatical officers.

Darwin is home to Origins Bar and Grill, one of the various outlets controlled by Kent Hospitality.

Open daily during term-time, serving food from midday until 9pm, the American-style menu is popular with students, staff and visitors alike.