Darenth Country Park

Darenth Country Park was opened as part of the Millennium celebrations, but this new site has strong links to the past. Mostly made up of grazing pasture and environmentally managed wildflower meadows, part of the park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Located on the edge of the North Downs, above the Darent Valley, there are some beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The area was used as an ancient Saxon burial ground, with 12 Saxon graves having been discovered at the site, as well as artefacts from the period. A more modern cemetery served the hospitals which previously occupied the site. The park now features a number of new additions to go with the history preserved here. The Chapel Orchard boasts over 150 varieties of apple, pear, plum, cherry and cob nut trees. There’s a play area for kids, whilst the artist Andy McKeown worked with local schools and community groups to design the sculpture you can see here at the north of the site. A picnic area is available, adjacent to the car park. A variety of surfaced and unsurfaced paths (including cycle routes) criss-cross the site, which is also home to the Arrow Riding Centre for the disabled.

The park has a decent sized car park just off Gore Road, near Darent Valley Hospital.