The Borough of Dartford lies at the heart of the Thames Gateway, one of the largest growth areas in the UK. It is going through a period of great change with a rising population and extensive new commercial and residential development.

The key to Dartford’s success is its location. It is easily accessible, being at Junction 1 of the M25 motorway and only 17 miles from London. To the south, the town is by-passed by the A2. The Dartford Tunnels carry northbound traffic under the Thames and the stunning Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, opened in 1991, takes traffic moving southwards.

The key to Dartford’s success is its location. It is easily accessible, being at Junction 1 of the M25 motorway and only 17 miles from London. To the south, the town is by-passed by the A2. The Dartford Tunnels carry northbound traffic under the Thames and the stunning Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, opened in 1991, takes traffic moving southwards.

Dartford is proving to be a magnet for new business investment, with business parks such as Crossways, the largest mixed-use business park on the M25, attracts a range of new companies.

Bluewater is one of the largest shopping and leisure complexes in Europe. Built in a quarry at Stone, to the east of Dartford, it has major department stores and over 300 other shops, cafés and restaurants in a landscaped setting surrounded by lakes and trees. The quality of the architecture and design is a blueprint for other developments planned or underway in the Dartford area. These include the new Darent Valley Hospital and a major new mixed-use development planned for North Dartford.
Originally a Roman settlement, Dartford is an old market town connected in history with Wat Tyler’s rebellion of 1381. The town centre boasts notable historic buildings. Holy Trinity Church dates from Norman times and has a wonderful mediaeval mural. The Royal Manor Gatehouse dates from the time of Henry VIII. The Borough’s rich cultural and industrial heritage is depicted in the new Millennium mural. There is a fine museum and library in the town centre, which also has a wide range of shopping facilities.

A number of beautiful and ancient parishes lie to the south of the town, each of which has its own links with English history. Evidence of this can be seen in the many fine churches and old buildings that remain. Darenth Country Park and Dartford Heath provide extensive public open space as well as recreational facilities.