[2024 Dartford ] Travel Guide for The Orchard Theatre (Updated Dec)

Dartford.

Dartford is a town in Kent, England. Here is some specific information about Dartford: 1. Geographical location: - Dartford is located on the east side of Greater London, about 18 miles (29 km) from central London, adjacent to the London Borough of Bexley. To the north is the Thames Estuary, through which you can reach Suffolk in Essex; to the east is the Gravesham District; to the south is the Sevenoaks District. - The town center is located in a valley through which the River Darent flows, and the name Dartford comes from this. It is located in the London Basin, with low-lying marshland to the north of the town made up of London clay and alluvium brought by the River Darent and River Cray, while the higher ground and narrow Darent Valley are covered by chalk and Blackheath gravel. 2. Historical development: - Dartford has a long history, with human activity dating back to around 250,000 years ago in prehistoric times. When the Romans arrived, it became a river crossing and a crossroads of two routes. The Domesday Book mentions that the manor of Dartford belonged to the king. - In the Middle Ages, Dartford was an important stopover for pilgrims and travelers to Canterbury and the continent. In the 14th century, a monastery was established here. Historically, several English kings have been associated with Dartford. 3. Economic industry: - Once, some industries in Dartford, such as brewing, papermaking, flour milling, and cement manufacturing, were more developed, but they suffered a severe decline in the 20th century. However, with the establishment of some business parks, the local economy has been boosted to some extent. - Today, Mazda, the car manufacturer, has its UK headquarters at the large Thames-side Crossways Business Park in Dartford. 4. Culture and sports: - In terms of culture, Dartford has the Orchard Theatre, a professional theater in the town center with a schedule of drama, dance, music, and entertainment. The Mick Jagger Centre is located on the campus of Dartford Grammar School and provides facilities for community arts, as well as a library and museum. - In terms of sports, Dartford has several sports clubs, such as Dartford Football Club, which plays in the National League South, as well as Dartford Athletics Club, Dartford Rugby Club, and Dartford and White Oak Triathlon Club. 5. Traffic conditions: - Dartford is an important railway hub, with Dartford Railway Station in the town center connected to London by three national railway lines. - In terms of road traffic, Dartford has the famous Dartford Crossing, the main way to cross the River Thames east of London, consisting of two tunnels and a bridge. The southbound A282 (part of the London Ring Road) crosses the river via the toll Elizabeth II Bridge, which opened in 1991, while the northbound lanes pass through the twin-bore Dartford Tunnel, the first of which opened in 1963 and the second in 1980.