Dartford Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bluewater Shopping Centre featuring a city and modern architecture
Photo by Kieran Hatton
Photo by Nicholas Greenfield
Photo by Steve Bennett
Photo by Snappy David

The birthplace of music legend Mick Jagger is also known for its old churches and huge modern shopping mall.

As a town with religious and cultural importance, Dartford has many charming churches and museums. Its most famous tourist attraction, however, is the Bluewater Shopping Centre, one of the largest malls in Europe.

Catch a bus from Dartford center to reach the Bluewater mall east of town. Browse more than 300 stores then enjoy the mall’s many attractions. Play mini golf and ride pedalos on a man-made lake at the Pirate Cove Adventure Park. Parents can take a break at the Bluewater mall’s day spa.

Head back in to Dartford to visit The Mick Jagger Centre, which hosts community arts performances and live music concerts. The famous Rolling Stones lead singer was born in Dartford and used to sing in the local church choir.Enjoy a day out at the 26-acre (10-hectare) Central Park, just south of Dartford center. Admire the colorful flowerbeds that bloom in spring and relax by the River Darent, which runs through the park.

Learn about the town’s origins at the Dartford Borough Museum on the edge of Central Park.

Uncover the religious and historic sides of Dartford. The most well known of the town’s churches is the Holy Trinity, which was built in 1080. Find blue plaques scattered around the town that celebrate historic events and people. See the inn where famous novelist Jane Austen stayed in the early 19th century.

Visit the Manor Gate House north of Dartford. The manor was built in 1541 by King Henry VIII for his personal use and lies just south of the River Thames. Cross the river on one of Europe’s largest cable-supported bridges, The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. On the north side, locate the Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve to take scenic walks and spot birds and other wildlife.At the end of your day of sight seeing, attend a play or musical at The Orchard Theatre.

Dartford is located on the banks of the River Darent in the northwest region of Kent. Take a 40-minute train ride from the center of London to discover the town’s many charms.

Where to stay in Dartford

Crayford

Crayford might not have many top sights, but Orchard Theatre and Bluewater Shopping Centre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Crayford

Wilmington

Spas and restaurants are some things travellers note about Wilmington. Check out Birchwood Park Golf Centre or Orchard Theatre while you're familiarising yourself with the larger area.

Wilmington
Strand Palace Hotel

Strand Palace Hotel

4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$348 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$348
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,166 reviews)
Lovely
"Incredible, lovely stay Free large chocolate bar and water on arrival in room Free bottle refill station around hotel Friendly staff, clean and comfortable room and general hotel"

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Strand Palace Hotel
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England
The price is NZ$411 per night from 26 July to 27 July
NZ$411
26 July - 27 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,949 reviews)
"4-cocoon room for our family of 5. We slept deeply, so quiet and comfortable beds and AC."

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
The price is NZ$290 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$290
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (7,650 reviews)
Family Layover!
"Excellent service close to everything and extremely friendly staff and personnel"

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
1 Bed Studio in Dartford Town - Orchard Theatre

1 Bed Studio in Dartford Town - Orchard Theatre

3 out of 5
Essex Road, 7C, Dartford, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Dartford. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Bluewater Shopping Centre and Lakeside ...
1 Bed Studio in Dartford Town - Orchard Theatre
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane, London, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions O2 Arena and ExCeL Exhibition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (321 reviews)
"Comfortable, modern, clean and cosy. Great location, close to the tube. Cafe on the ground floor near the apartment. Well stocked kitchen. Powerful shower, loved the who gives a crap toilet paper! We stayed on a very hot weekend so the room was warm, we took our own fan so this helped us have a more ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Rockwell East

Rockwell East

4 out of 5
99 Mansell Street, London, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (622 reviews)
Great Stay!
"This place was genuinely awesome. It was very clean, had every apart-hotel amenity you could want (washing machine, dishwasher, oven, microwave, etc.) and felt very secure. It's within a 10 minute walk to the tube and the Tower. I couldn't recommend it highly enough."

Reviewed on 13 Jul. 2025

Rockwell East
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Dartford

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3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Very run down and dirty

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