Dartford

9:56am Wednesday 20th June 2007

Dartford is a town with a rich heritage and a bright future.

The town dates from Roman times when it was known as Derenti Vadum. Its Saxon name was Derentford before finally it became Dartford, all the names referring to the River Darent which has played a big part in the town's history.

The river now flows past Dartford's industrial estates and north to the River Thames.

Among the early industries was paper making and among the town's most illustrious residents was Sir John Spilman, who started a papermill in Dartford in 1586. It is thought to be the first commercially successful papermill in England. Sir John, who died in 1626, is also believed to have introduced lime trees into this country.

There is a wide range of shops and services in the town centre, including the Priory and Orchard shopping centres. Markets are held on Thursdays and Saturdays. The massive Bluewater shopping centre is nearby.

Central Park, dating from the Victorian era, is a popular place for recreation and relaxing.

Being only 15 miles from London, Dartford boasts excellent transport links to the capital. The Dartford Tunnel links the M25 across the Thames.

Known as a modern commuter town, Dartofrd is on the edge of Kent, the garden county of England, and the countryside is easily accessible.

A bright future beckons for Dartford, with the town being a focal point of the Thames Gateway, the Government's massive 20-year regeneration project.

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