9 Best Things to Do in Dartford

Central Park is a 10.5-hectare park that includes play areas, open green spaces and elaborate garden areas, all located on the west shore of River Darent. The summer gardens feature a rose garden, pergola and vibrant colourful bedding displays made up of over 45,00 plants.

If you are travelling with children, the park has a wonderful playground with climbing walls, slides and swings. The park hosts many local events, so be sure to check the schedule for events that may interest you.

Dartford Borough Museum features permanent exhibits that tell the story of the Borough of Dartford through many archaeological findings, along with items on display from more recent history.

In addition to sharing local history through the museum's own exhibits, staff will also attempt to identify any local objects that guests have found. Usually, they are able to identify items on sight, but objects can also be left if further research is needed. The Dartford Borough Museum is located on Market Street at the entrance to Central Park.

Darenth Country Park offers paths and play areas and provides grazing pastures and wildflower meadows with picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. Darenth Country Park is about a 9-minute drive southeast of the city centre. You can find numerous varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry trees in the Chapel Orchards located in the park, and several paths meander through the space, giving you peaceful areas to enjoy a walk or bike ride.

Children will love the playground and sculpture, which was designed by schoolchildren and community groups with the help of a local artist. The park is also an area of historical interest, as Saxon graves and artefacts of the time have been discovered here.

Beacon Wood Country Park is a local favourite for hiking and picnicking, thanks to its diverse forests and wildlife, rolling hills, rich, green vegetation and fascinating history. The park's pond area has a platform from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the marshland and countryside, and there are several hiking trails dotted with shaded areas that offer the perfect spot to stop and enjoy a picnic.

The hollowed land you'll see here is a result of 1930s clay excavation for cement making. Prior to this, the site was used for gunpowder production and as a signal area to alert of an advancing Spanish Armada. You can find the park off of Southfleet Road.

Dinotropolis spotlights 3 storeys of soft play featuring fun-filled and educational interactive dinosaur activities. Children can run around and play in an endless maze of ball pits, drawbridges and slides, and they'll have many opportunities to get up close to animatronic dinosaurs, race through the Dino Escape Challenge or power themselves through Raptor Run.

Discovery Cove is focused on arts, crafts and technology, offering guests a chance to dig for fossils or build a volcano. Once kids have made their way through each zone, they will earn the title of ‘ranger’. Deli meals and snacks are available at the Fossil Café, and you can find the centre located in the Bluewater Shopping Centre.

Darent Valley Path comprises 30 kilometres of trails gently winding past historic inns and climbing towards breathtaking views from the top of the Downs. There are numerous access points nearby, including railway stations at Sevenoaks and Dartford to name a few.

Public transportation has several stops near the path, so you can break up your hike if you prefer. Because of the variety of trails offered, there are opportunities for all skill levels. You can navigate from the guide to Darent Valley Path or by following the route highlighted on OS Explorer Map.

Dartford Open Air Theatre’s outdoor stage in Dartford Central Park is a great spot to enjoy a summer play and is a favourite amongst the locals. Guests are encouraged to set up a blanket, relax and enjoy a picnic while they watch a live performance.

Among the shows that have been performed on the outdoor stage here are William Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ and Illyria’s take on Mary Shelley’s classic ‘Frankenstein’. Show listings and tickets can be accessed on the city council’s website.

The Orchard Theatre offers a variety of shows including musicals, plays, popular live music, comedy and family events, as well as a yearly pantomime show. Located in Dartford town centre, it is a short 2-minute walk to the theatre from the railway station.

The theatre can accommodate 1,025 people in comfortable seating with great views of the stage. The onsite restaurant is a great spot to enjoy dinner before the show. You can also purchase snacks and drinks to enjoy during the show.