Nestled in the Darent Valley, Dartford is a historic market town south-east of Central London that has been inhabited since prehistoric times. During the medieval period, it became an important stopover for pilgrims travelling to Canterbury and serves as a commuter town for the English capital.
Things to do in Dartford
On the southern edge of Dartford’s commercial core lies Dartford Central Park, a 10-hectare green space where you’ll find children’s play areas, seasonal flower beds and riverside walking trails. Explore the fragrant rose garden and relax beneath the pergola with a picnic or coincide your visit with one of the community events that are regularly held here.
For a dose of local history, head to the Dartford Borough Museum, which originally opened its doors to visitors in 1908. Its exhibits are displayed chronologically and include World War II artefacts and historic photos of the town. The museum is located in the same building as the Dartford Library and is just a short stroll from the shops and cafes of the High Street.
Want to stretch your legs? Follow the Darent Valley Path, a 31-kilometre-long route that links Dartford with Sevenoaks. It follows the banks of the River Darent through the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and passes several railway stations if you want to break up the journey. The Darent Valley Path traverses ancient willows, woodlands and hop gardens while taking in Roman ruins and old mills.
Getting around Dartford
Dartford is around 40 minutes’ drive from the centre of London and just over an hour from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Several train lines connect to the Dartford railway station and buses travel to nearby towns and villages. The centre of Dartford can easily be explored on foot.