Dartford is a Town in the county of Kent.
Dartford is the principal town in the Borough of Dartford, Kent. Dartford is situated in the western part of Kent and borders with Gravesham to its west, Borough of Thurrock in Essex to its east and Sevenoaks District in the south. Dartford also borders Greenhithe and Swanscombe that lie next-door in the borough of Dartford. Dartford is a post town and has a railway station served by Southeastern services between London Charing Cross, London Cannon Street as well as Longfield, Meopham, Gravesend, Ebbsfleet International and Gillingham stations.
Dartford developed around a ford on the River Darent (which at various times had different names). This river flows through Dartford on its way from Dartford Heath along its 51-mile journey to the Thames Estuary. Dartford also developed around two smaller Saxon settlements which were united in 932 AD by King Athelstan who encouraged Bretwealda of Kent to create a market where the settlement was at the crossing over the river Darent.
Until 1889 Dartford was an urban district but it then was given the status of a municipal borough (the Dartford Borough as it is now known). Dartford was one of the first areas outside London to be developed as an industrial zone and became home to many industries such as fertiliser production, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.
There are great places to visit near Dartford including some great towns, historic buildings, beaches, parks, museums, castles, shopping centres, cities, ruins, country parks, lakes, coastal parks and airports.
There are a several good towns in the Dartford area like Faversham, Broadstairs, St Peter's, Ramsgate, Chatham, Margate, and Dover.
The area around Dartford boasts some of the best historic buildings including Nuckell's Alsmshouses, The Old Curiosity Shop, The Palace Cinema, Clock Tower Broadstairs, The Look Out House, Bleak House, and Home for Smack Boys.
Dartford's best nearby beaches can be found at Viking Bay, Dumpton Gap, and Sandwich Bay.
Victoria Gardens is one of Dartford's best, nearby parks to visit in Dartford.
The area around Dartford's best museums can be found at Ramsgate Maritime Museum.
Dover Castle, Rochester Castle, Leeds Castle, and Tonbridge Castle are some of Dartford best castles to visit near Dartford.
The area around Dartford features a number of interesting shopping centres including Royal Victoria Place, and Bluewater Shopping Centre.
The area around Dartford's best cities can be found at Canterbury.
Tonbridge Castle is a great place to visit close to Dartford if you like ruins.
Country Parks to visit near Dartford include Haysden Country Park, and Barton's Point Coastal Park.
Places near Dartford feature a number of interesting lakes including Barden Lake.
Don't miss Barton's Point Coastal Park's coastal parks if visiting the area around Dartford.
There are a several good airports in the area around Dartford like Lydd Airport.
Dartford History
There are some historic monuments around Dartford:
Areas of Dartford
Like most towns and cities Dartford is comprised of a number of areas, once separate villages or small towns and parishes now part of Dartford.
Many of the areas of Dartford have their own character and places of interest.
Places to see near Dartford
History of Dartford
During the medieval period Dartford was an important waypoint for pilgrims and travellers en route to Canterbury and the Continent, and various religious orders established themselves in the area. In the 12th century the Knights Templar had possession of the manor of Dartford; the National Trust property at Sutton-at-Hone, to the south of the town, is a remaining piece of that history. In the 14th century, a priory was established here, and two groups of friars the Dominicans and the Franciscans built hospitals here for the care of the sick. At this time the town became a small but important market town.
