Car Hire Dartford - Mini guide to Dartford
Conveniently located in northwestern Kent, Dartford has developed from an ancient Roman settlement and old market village into a pleasant town with a rich industrial and architectural heritage.
A popular attraction, Dartford Museum and Library is housed in a fine building of Bath and Portland stone at the main entrance to Dartford's Central Park. The museum has a permanent display telling the story of the town and its surrounding area from Prehistoric times to the present day. The most famous exhibit on display is the Darenth Bowl, a priceless early Christian relic from the Anglo-Saxon period.
There are a number of interesting old buildings spread around the town, which makes the old streets worthy of a stroll. Manor Gatehouse is all that remains of the Manor House that Henry VIII had constructed between 1541 and 1544 for his personal use. One Bell Corner is an attractive meeting point within Dartford town centre and displays a mural detailing the industrial heritage of the borough, while St Edmunds Pleasance on East Hill affords stunning views of the town and surrounding countryside.
As well as the several excellent restaurants, there are plenty of atmospheric country pubs in which to enjoy a quiet drink and hearty meal. Orchid Theatre, located in the town centre, offers a wide range of drama, dance, music and entertainment.
Located not too far out of town are a variety of scenic attractions. Swanscombe Skull Site is where three perfectly matching pieces of a 400,000 year old skull were found in 1935, 1936 and 1955. For nature lovers, Darenth Country Park is home to a network of signposted footpaths, cycle ways and bridle paths, as well as an ancient monument marking the site of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery.
For the motorist, Dartford is linked to London via the A2. Dartford Station is served by trains from London Charing Cross, London Cannon Street, Waterloo East, London Bridge and London Victoria. The North Kent line also runs from Dartford to the Medway towns and the Kent coast. London City Airport is the nearest air transportation hub.
