A tour is offering to take explorers through the history of ‘dirty Dartford’.

Paul Talling, 49, has been photographing forgotten parts of south-east London and north Kent for 15 years.

He hosts ‘Derelict London’ tours and the tour for ‘Dirty Dartford’ has sold out its remaining dates.

Speaking to News Shopper, he said: “You can see the development and the lost industries, there are new builds opening all over the place in Dartford, just like everywhere I suppose.

“Dartford is a lucky place, it has a rich history stretching back from the Romans to the Victorians and paper mills and gunpower mills.”

Paul’s tour is an all-day event, from 10.30am to 5.30pm with a stop at a Dartford pub on the way.

He also hosts tours in Croydon, Woolwich and Limehouse and Poplar among others.

 

Paul, who lives in Southwark, has also written two books about the history of derelict London.

Of Dartford, he said: “A lot of people don’t know about the area but as soon as you walk out the station there is artwork and history.

“You’ve got things like Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, McKenzie Crook – Dave Charnley the Dartford Destroyer and even Maggie Thatcher as this is where she first stood for MP.”

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The tour takes you along the River Darent via the Wells Firework Factory, the ‘Lock Up’ Dartford’s first police station, the former co-op and the derelict chapel on West Hill.

Paul said: “I’ve seen gentrification happen. You can go to London and pay £5 a pint and £15 for a burger, or you can go to a real local and get a pint for £2.50.

“The tour is about looking at these places and opening your eyes to the rich history of the town.”

There are more tours planned for Dartford in 2018.