Dartford is the principal town in the Dartford (borough). It is situated in the northwest corner of Kent, England, 16 miles (25 km) east south-east of central London.
The town centre is situated in a valley through which the River Darent flows, and where the old road from London to Dover crossed: hence the name, from ''Darent + ford''. Dartford became a market town in medieval times and, although today it is principally a commuter town for Greater London, it has a long history of religious, industrial and cultural importance. It is an important rail hub; the main through-road now avoids the town itself.
