DARTFORD BRANCH
Bean area is a semi-rural village offering local primary school, post office, country park and public houses, ideally situated with easy access of the village of Longfield and Dartford town centre with further shopping recreational and educational facilities including mainline railway station to London via Victoria and Charing Cross lines respectively. The parish is bounded three sides by ancient woodlands and is linked to Bluewater by crossing the A2 by Bean bridge. The A2 and M25 motorways as well as Bluewater, the Channel Ports and Ebbsfleet International station providing a 20 minute link to London St Pancras are also within access.
Bexley is the suburban area that is now the main town centre of the borough, rather than Old Bexley. The village offers many facilities including local shops, pubs, restaurants, parks, woods and open spaces within easy reach and is located on the banks of the River Cray south of the Roman Road, Watling Street. There are two parts to the town - Old Bexley, still with the appearance of a village (and often referred to locally as "Bexley Village"), and more recent suburban sprawl that blends into the surroundings (including Albany Park, Lamorbey, Bladindon, Blendon. And Bexleyheath). There is a mainline railway station with regular services to London and road links giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Crayford area offers many facilities including high street shopping, Tower Retail Park, restaurants, public houses and greyhound race track. Places of interest to visit include waterfront gardens and the historical Hall Place with its gardens. Crayford is a town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley and was an important bridging point in Roman times across the River Cray, a tributary of the River Darent, which is itself a tributary of the River Thames. Crayford has a mainline railway station with services to London and road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Darenth village is located to the south-east of Dartford town; the village is approx three miles from Dartford and offers many facilities including Prospect Place Retail Park, the Orchard theatre, library, museum, central park, weekly markets and an array of local shops and public houses. There is also the Fairfield Leisure Centre offering facilities such as gym, swimming and soft play area. Dartford has many schools catering from reception to year 13 which includes four grammar schools at secondary level. Dartford also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London and road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Dartford is the principal town in the borough of Dartford and is home to Dartford F.C. It is situated in the northwest corner of Kent, 16 miles (26 km) east south-east of Central London. Dartford became a market town in medieval times and, although today it is principally a commuter town for Greater London, it has a long history of religious, industrial and cultural importance and has an important rail hub. The main through-road avoids the town itself and the town centre offers many facilities including Prospect Place Retail Park, the Orchard theatre, library, museum, central park, weekly markets and an array of local shops and public houses. Dartford has plenty of schools catering from reception to year 13 which includes four grammar schools at secondary level. The town centre is situated in a valley through which the River Darent flows, and where the old road from London to Dover crossed: hence the name, from Darent + ford. Dartford also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London and road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Farningham has a mainline railway station (Farningham Road) with regular services to London. Road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station , airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel. Farningham is believed to be home to Neolithic history – flint and other tools have been discovered and these can be found in the Dartford Museum. The Romans occupied the general area after their invasion in the 1st century and, along with evidence of habitation down the road in Lullingstone, there is also evidence of Roman habitation in Farningham. Three farmhouses and three villas have been unearthed. The River Darent provided excellent trout fishing and Charles Dickens was a regular visitor here. Farningham had a watermill, powered by the River Darent, the building of which survives. There was a windmill at Chimham’s Farm, which was moved in 1880 to West Kingsdown, where it still stands.
Greenhithe is situated between the River Thames and Watling Street (the London, Dover Road) and was a suitable landing place for ships. In Roman times it was known as Gretenrsce, and by 1363 Grenehuth. It appears in the 1778 'History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent' : "There are several wharves in Greenhithe which were for the landing and shipping of corn, wood, and other commodities, but the greatest traffic arose from the chalk and lime. The area offers many facilities including the Bluewater shopping centre with it’s array of shops, restaurants, eateries and multiplex cinema, river walks, pubs and supermarket. Greenhithe also has a mainline railway station with services to London and is within easy reach of the Ebbsfleet International Station. There are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel.
Hextable is situated in north west Kent between the towns of Dartford and Swanley and over the last 100 years it has grown from a small hamlet to a semi-rural village of some 4,400 people and is situated in north west Kent between the towns of Dartford and Swanley. The village is surrounded by green belt land - much of it used by small farms, nurseries and garden centres. It is just 16 miles from Central London and is within the M25, however, Hextable still retains much of its rural character having its own post office, chemist, grocery stores and bakery. The centre is marked by an attractive tree-lined village green with children's play area. A founder member of the Temperance Movement once lived in Hextable and to this day, historic covenants still mean the village has no public houses! There are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel.
Horton Kirby is located on the right bank of the River Darent, south of Dartford and is a village in the civil parish of Horton Kirby and South Darenth in the Sevenoaks District of Kent. Its church is dedicated to St Mary and the nearest railway station is at Farningham Road. The village nestles in the Darenth Valley a few miles from Dartford and the A225 road between Dartford and Sevenoaks passes to the west of the village. There are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel.
South Darenth is located on the right bank of the River Darent, south of Dartford and is a village in the civil parish of South Darenth and Horton Kirby in the Sevenoaks District of Kent. The village nestles in the Darenth Valley a few miles from Dartford. Its church is dedicated to St Mary and the nearest railway station is at Farningham Road. The A225 road between Dartford and Sevenoaks passes to the west of the village. There are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel.
Stone is also known as Stone-next-Dartford and is one of many villages lying along the Dartford to Gravesend road on the south bank of the River Thames. Stone is close to the village of Greenhithe and offers many facilities including Bluewater shopping centre with its array of shops, restaurants, eateries, multiplex cinema, river walks, pubs and supermarket and the nearest railway station is at Stone Crossing. Greenhithe also offers a mainline railway station with regular services to London and is within easy reach of the Ebbsfleet International Station. There are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel.
Sutton at Hone is the next parish south-eastward from Wilmington. The village is surrounded by green fields and country walks and there are several local pubs and a parish church. The area was called in Latin, Suthtuna, from its situation south of the town of Dartford, and had the addition of At-Hone, from its lying low in the valley. The shopping center’s of Bluewater and Dartford offer many facilities including Prospect Place Retail Park, the Orchard Theatre, library and museum. The local area has many schools catering from reception to year 13 which includes four grammar schools at secondary level. Farningham and Dartford also have mainline railway stations with services to London and there are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel.
Swanley developed from the Saxon term 'Swine-ley', "Ley" meaning a clearing in the woods and "swine" meaning pigs. Originally it was a Saxon pig’s farm which later developed into what we now know as Swanley. In the 6th and 7th Centuries, there were probably two homesteads. The town became an important horticulture centre and its green farm fields became an attraction for London doctors seeking a cure for sick Londoners, escaping the smog of London. The local area has many schools catering from reception to year 13 which includes four grammar schools at secondary level. The town centre offers many facilities including White Oaks Leisure Centre, with gym, swimming and soft play area, library, Swanley Park, weekly market and an array of local shops, supermarkets and public houses. Swanley also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London and there are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Swanscombe has a mainline railway station with regular services to London and is within easy reach of the Ebbsfleet International Station. There are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel. Swanscombe is eastwards from Stone, so called from the camp of Swane, king of Denmark, who having sailed up the Thames, landed at Greenhithe; and marching from there, camped at this place; Combe and Compe in Saxon. The area offers many facilities including the Bluewater shopping centre with it’s array of shops, restaurants, eateries, multiplex cinema, river walks, pubs and supermarket.
Wilmington centre has one shop and four pubs: The Orange Tree, The Plough, The Foresters and The Horse and Groom at Leyton Cross and is considered to be one of the most affluent areas of Dartford. Part of the Joydens Wood estate lies within parish boundaries. Its most prominent landmark is the St Michael and All Angels Church, which is the site for the annual Wilmington Model Railway Exhibition. Dartford and Crayford railway stations are close by with services to London. The shopping center’s of Bluewater and Dartford offer many facilities including Prospect Place Retail Park, the Orchard Theatre, library and museum. There are road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel.
Abbey Wood offers many facilities including local shops and public houses. You will also find the historic ruins of Lesnes Abbey founded in 1178 by Richard De Luci and dissolved in 1524. Today the site is beautifully set within pristine gardens. The area also offers the ancient Bostall Woods and Heath which form part of the South East London Green Chain. Abbey Wood also has a mainline railway station in the area known as ‘The Village’ with regular services to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street via Woolwich and Greenwich or Lewisham, enabling easy connection to the Docklands Light Railway. Road links from the area give easy access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station. Well known developments within the area include the Co-operative Estate built between 1900-1930 by the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society. The Abbey Estate was built between 1955-1959 and in the early 1970’s the first phase of Thamesmead began construction.
Barnehurst came into being after land was sold in 1881 to build the Bexleyheath Loop Line between Dartford and Lewisham. The station was named after a local resident, Colonel Barne who owned May Place House and the area took the name from that of the station. The Barnehurst estate was built in 1926 and much building followed shortly after, a good deal of which was by W.H. Wedlock. The area offers many facilities including local shops, public houses and a golf course. Barnehurst also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London Charing Cross, Victoria or Cannon Street. Road links from the area give access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Belvedere was originally part of the estate of Sir Culling Eardley who constructed a large, wooden tower on the Heath as a viewpoint across the river giving the area the name. The area known as Nuxley Village quickly grew up around All Saints Church and the Villa houses constructed by Eardley. Belvedere offers many facilities including local shops, supermarket, restaurants, public houses and library. Belvedere also boasts a substantial open air water park and play park for the children. Belvedere also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street via Woolwich and Greenwich or Lewisham, enabling easy connection to the Docklands Light Railway.. Road links from the area give access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station. The area offers a pleasing variety of property with substantial building taking place in the area in the Victorian era and the 1930’s.
Bexleyheath was an area of mostly open land until the early 19th century with the exception of Danson House built in 1766 by Sir John Boyd. In 1859 the artist William Morris had Red House built in what was a small hamlet know as Upton. The Bexleyheath Railway Line construction in the 1880’s prompted the expansion of the area. The town centre offers many facilities including Bexleyheath’s modern shopping mall, multiplex cinema, bowling alley, golf course and a vast array of restaurants and public houses. There is also the Crook Log leisure centre offering facilities such as gym and swimming. Bexleyheath has many schools catering from reception to year 13 including 2 grammar schools at secondary level. Bexleyheath also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London Victoria, Charing Cross or Cannon Street. Road links from the area give access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Erith was primarily a small riverside port and was a popular dock from which to unload cargo before proceeding upstream although the history of the town dates back to Saxon times and before. The town centre offers many facilities including the Riverside shopping centre and supermarket. The area also has the benefit of Erith leisure centre offering facilities such as gym and swimming. Erith also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London Charing Cross and Cannon Street via Woolwich and Greenwich. Road links from the area give access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Northumberland Heath is a mainly residential area with a variety of property including Victorian, 1930’s, 1940’s and an estate built for employees of Vickers armaments. The area offers many facilities including high street shopping, restaurants and public houses. The nearest train stations are either Erith or Barnehurst with regular services to central London. Road links from the area give access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.
Sidcup is a town situated ideally for local shops and commuting to London. Various train lines are available within a short driving distance. There is a good array of both primary, secondary and private schools within the area with good motorway links to the A2, M25 and M20 giving access to both Gatwick and Heathrow airports, Ebbsfleet International Railway Station and the Channel Ports.
Welling is home to Welling United F.C. and offers many facilities including high street shopping, restaurants, public houses and library. Welling also boasts Danson Park with the historic Danson House and boating lake. Welling also has a mainline railway station with regular services to London. Road links from the area give access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as the Bluewater Shopping Complex and Ebbsfleet International station.