About Dartford in Kent

Dartford is a town located in the county of Kent, England. The town is situated on the River Darent, which flows through the town and into the Thames Estuary. Dartford is the principal town in the Borough of Dartford, which also includes the towns of Crayford, Swanscombe and Stone. The borough had a population of 97,365 at the time of the 2011 census.

Dartford is first mentioned in a charter of 864, which lists it as one of the places in the kingdom of Kent where King Egbert held court. In the 10th century, Dartford was given the status of a burh, or fortified town, by King Athelstan. During the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a castle in Dartford, which was completed in 1086. The town became a market town in 1220, and has been an important market town ever since.

Dartford was historically part of Kent County Council, but in 1998 it became part of the newly formed Borough of Dartford. The borough is governed by a directly elected mayor and a cabinet of councillors.

Dartford is twinned with several towns around the world, including Rouen in France, Aachen in Germany and Puebla in Mexico.

The town has a long history and is full of interesting places to visit. The castle is a popular tourist attraction, as is the Museum of Kent Life, which tells the story of life in Kent through the ages. Dartford also has a thriving shopping centre and a lively nightlife.