Darenth Country Park
Gore Road Dartford
Darenth Country Park has been transformed over the last decade by Dartford Borough Council, Groundwork and the Millennium Commission. The park has a network of sign posted footpaths, cycle ways and bridle paths; a scheduled ancient monument site marking the site of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery; as well as the chance to see lizards, slow worms and interesting flowers in the woods and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Chapel Orchard in the park has been designed to show the history of orchards in Kent. There are easy access routes throughout the Park. Near to the Park there is also Darenth Wood. This is accessible by foot and is a large area of woodland.

Beacon Wood Country Park
1 mile south of the A2 on the B225 Southfleet Road close to Bean village between Dartford and Gravesend
An 88 acre park developed from a former clay pit, with woodland ponds and wild flowers, including bluebells, dog’s mercury, wood anemone and stinking iris. Trees here include oak, ash and sweet chestnut, silver birch and aspen. There's a network of paths including an easy access route. For information on events and activities contact tel No: 01622 817623 for details.

Central Park
Market Street, Dartford
Central Park is part of Dartford town centre and backs on to the Library and Museum. This well maintained park contains open space, floral displays and a children’s play area.
The park has recently doubled in size as Dartford Borough Council purchase 23 acres from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and plans for the enlarged park include; creating river paths on both sides of River Darenth and increasing access to the park for surrounding residents.

Hesketh Park
Park Road, Dartford
Hesketh Park is steeped in history and celebrated its 100^th anniversary as a public park on the 20 April 2004. The park is dominated by sporting facilities providing a home for Dartford Cricket Club, Hesketh Park Bowls Club and Crackenford Hockey Club. The grounds also contain a children’s playground and an historic sun dial.

St John's Jerusalem Garden
Sutton at Hone, Dartford DA4 9HQ
This large garden is managed and maintained by the National Trust and contains some magnificent trees and herbaceous borders. The chapel was once the east end of a Commandery Church of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and was built in the 13^th century, of which the remainder was converted into a private residence. Access to the chapel and tranquil gardens is possible from 2^nd April to 29^th October on Wednesdays between 2pm and 6pm.
Telephone No. for details: 01732 810378
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

St Edmund's Pleasance
East Hill, Dartford
Climb the zigzag slope from East Hill for the best view of the town and surrounding country. This garden, originally a burial ground, takes its name from the Chapel of St Edmund which once stood there. Several memorials are located in the garden, including one commemorating three Kentish Protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake in 1555 and another to Richard Trevithick, the Cornish inventor of the world’s first railway locomotive, who is buried here.

Park Walks
Regular guided walks take place in the borough's fantastic array of parks and open spaces. To find out about the latest walks visit www.dartford.gov.uk/walks

Darenth Valley Footpath
The Darenth Valley Footpath starts in Central Park and goes to Sevenoaks via Hawley, Sutton-at-Hone and South Darenth. There are yellow markers along the way indicating the route.