What’s there?

This 26 acre park has a lot to offer, close to the main Dartford town centre and train station it’s very popular. As you enter the gardens from Market Street the formal ornemantal gardens are a feast for the senses.

Moving through the park you will find a large childrens play area with several climbing frames that cater for all ages and abilities. There are also swings, a children’s bike and scooter track, climbing wall and zipwire, to name but a few. The cafe and toilets are also located conveniently next to the play area. There is also a splash zone that opens during the warmer summer months.

On the other side of the cafe you will find wide open playing fields, an outdoor gym, informal gardens and large skate park (surrounded by bushes).

The paths through the park are paved, wide and flat perfect for learner riders, pushchairs and wheelchairs. The extensive paths take you throughout the park to enjoy the gardens and River Darent. If you follow them towards Prince’s Road and through the tunnel you will come to Brookland’s Lakes where you can fish and enjoy the waterlife.

There are several toilet blocks within the park; one at the library on Market Street, one attached to the Cafe, and one block by the Atheletics Track near Cranford Road.

There is a small car park on Cranford Road or you can use the large car parks in Dartford town centre.

The closest train station Dartford, under half a mile away, less than a 10 minute walk.

For more information visit Dartford Councils Website.

Close by

Brooklands Fishing lakes are a short walk from the main gardens and park on the South side through a small tunnel.

Dartford Museum can be found at the Market Street entrance to the park. It is a small museum that documents the history of Dartford and the surrounding areas. There are displays about local artefacts from Stone Age to Roman eras. The museum is connected to Dartford Library and can be accesed through it when the main doors are closed.

Central Park

Large rope pyramidal climbing frame
View of the play area from the cafe
Some of the ramps in the skate park
Beautiful bandstand
The splash area next to the cafe
Merry-go-round style swing and climbing frame in the distance

Brooklands Lakes

Brooklands fishing lake
Brooklands fishing lake

Dartford Museum

Displays inside the museum
Displays inside the museum

How to find it…

Dartford, DA1 1EU

Entrances at Cranford Road and Market Street

What to take

  • Bikes, scooters and skate boards for the kids track and skate park.
  • Picnic blanket; this park is very popular and there are not many tables to eat at.
  • Balls for ball games e.g. football, rugby, rounders etc.