When is Central Park open?

Central Park is open: Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

What hotels are near Central Park?

Hotels near Central Park: (0.21 mi) The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel (1.39 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge (3.95 mi) Crook Log Guest House (0.42 mi) Cyrus House Cottage Apartment (1.38 mi) Premier Inn Dartford View all hotels near Central Park on Tripadvisor

What restaurants are near Central Park?

Restaurants near Central Park: (0.14 mi) SiamRadhuny (0.15 mi) Sedir Restaurant (0.16 mi) Bennella (0.13 mi) Big G's Coffee & Eats (0.14 mi) Radhuny View all restaurants near Central Park on Tripadvisor

Central Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

123 reviews

#2 of 26 things to do in Dartford

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Restaurants

238 within 3 miles

SiamRadhuny

668

0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Thai

Sedir Restaurant

288

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Turkish

The Restaurant at the Orchard Theatre

636

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • British • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options

Le Tre Sorelle

503

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • European

The Malt Shovel

196

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub

Bella Venezia

117

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Cafe • British

The Rose

83

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub

Dosa House

122

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Sri Lankan

0.3 mi$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly

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Attractions

111 within 6 miles

Dartford Borough Museum

42

0.1 miSpeciality Museums

Darent Valley Path

8

0.1 miNature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails

Holy Trinity Church

1

0.2 miChurches & Cathedrals

The Orchard Theatre

662

0.3 miTheaters

Dartford Harriers Athletics Club

4

0.2 miArenas & Stadiums

Dartford Markets

4

0.2 miFlea & Street Markets • Farmers Markets

Stephen Oliver: Studio & Gallery

16

0.2 miArt Galleries

Saint Edmund's Pleasance Park

0.4 miBodies of Water

Hesketh Park

23

0.8 miParks • Playgrounds

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See what other travelers are saying

emrussell2710
Berkhamsted, United Kingdom5 contributions
Excellent
What a great find this was!lively park, walked round. Good signage, found the lake which was nice. River being renovated but not intrusive. Skate park highly recommend by a 9 year old boy!
Visited January 2020
Traveled with family
Written January 8, 2020
Stuart H
Banbury, United Kingdom59 contributions
Unchanged, Pretty Town Park
I have known this park for over sixty years and it is little changed! Many towns up and down the country would dearly love to have this beautiful and mature park within its centre. Blessed by having green, leafy backdrops of other adjacent wooded areas, the park is immaculately kept. Most buses stop opposite the main entrance and car parking is close too.
Visited August 2020
Written November 2, 2020
MarcusHurley
Calne, United Kingdom9,453 contributions
Fantastic town asset
We had to come into the town for a takeaway during lockdown and while waiting for the food we visited the park. We were pleasantly surprised at how well maintained it was and how clean, in contrast to the rest of the town. There was a nice formal area with flower beds and benches as well as a kids play area and a playing field. A real asset to the town.
Visited May 2020
Written May 28, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

123 reviews

Excellent

66

Very good

45

Average

11

Poor

0

Terrible

1

Jake Sims

4 contributions

SPOILT BY A FEW

May 2020

The council do a good job in the maintenance of the park and I have always enjoyed waking through it.
However, the last time I did so was during lockdown when there were a number of men sitting around the worse for the cans of drink they had with them.
Most appeared to be Eastern Europeans, but I could also see a few local faces (old enough to know better) getting lairy while drinking their cans of Kronenberg.

Written October 14, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark B

1 contribution

Over powering building over looking park

Jan 2022 • Family

Dartford park, was the best thing in Dartford. Still a great park, but what a shame. Did it really need to be that close and that tall.How imposing. I am all up for regeneration, but that is greed. Not a concern for the people using the park or the park. Don't think the park has gained anything from this. Love the cafe, running track and other areas and how it links in with the lakes and other places.

Written January 9, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

steve

2 contributions

Great place to be

Oct 2020 • Solo

I regularly visit the park and find it a friendly busy place. The planting is always lovely and the park is well tended. In a normal summer there is a bandstand season with deckchairs that are free to use so you can while away a sunny afternoon. That cafe in the park is great as are the play facilities. There is a well used skate park. A great place to visit.

Written October 27, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Reviewsfroman16yold

Dartford, UK26 contributions

Park Delight- Review from an 11 year old

Oct 2018 • Family

From taking a stroll around to appreciating the wonderful nature this park has got to offer. This park is great for all ages. There are swings, a rock climbing area, trampoline, slides, baby area etc. In the summer or warm times, there is a mini water park for everyone to have fun in. There is something to do for everyone. If you want a free gym, there is a working out area perfect for anyone wanting to workout. There is such big fields of greenery. Perfect for picnics, sports etc. Many of the sport events are held in the Central park mini 'stadium'.

Written October 30, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David F

Dartford, UK92 contributions

Outdoor Cinema

Aug 2018 • Family

Took my 2 daughters with their friends to see Paddington on the outdoor cinema.
This was a free event and they do 2 or 3 films every August and I can’t find any fault with it, it was great.
Everyone was bringing in their food from local takeaways and thy had an ice cream van and toilets on site.
The atmosphere was one of fun and laughter, definitely a must for a nice summers evening out for anyone.

Written August 23, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

donald d

Dartford, UK14 contributions

hangout for dossers and gangs

Sep 2015 • Friends

when first renovated with new café and skate park etc but not anymore its not a very safe environment to frequent alone as too many drunk and dissordalies need a decent park keeper me thinks

Written October 15, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Clive B

Dartford, UK1,354 contributions

Hidden in plain sight

Jul 2014 • Family

Located in the very heart of Dartford Town, this 26 acre public park is a blessing for visitors with young children, although there is something here for everyone if you time it correctly. Each summer at least 45,000 plants are used to create colourful bedding displays along the entrance paths and around the war memorial, and this is reflected in the parks appearance. There is also a delightful rose garden, with is both splendid and fragrant when in bloom, but kept a good distance from the children's play areas and hidden by hedges, so that parents may enjoy some respite. Inside the park there is a traditional bandstand, where, from 2pm until 4pm every Sunday throughout Summer, a range of concerts can be enjoyed free of charge. There are many events held in the Park, and you therefore need to time your visit wisely, to either miss the crowd or enjoy the activities. In May the park hosts the annual Steam Rally, where a wide range of steam engines, stationary engines and vintage vehicles can be seen and enjoyed. Whilst in July the park becomes the venue for the free two-day Dartford Festival. In addition to its many football pitches, there is also a popular skate park, where young skateboarders and stunt scooter riders can be seen perfecting their moves. There are also two play areas for children, one specifically for toddlers and another for older children, with a zip-wire, climbing wall, cycle track and usual assortment of playground equipment . Next to this is the basketball court, and behind that the seaside themed splash play area, where children can enjoy wet play. Just remember to ALWAYS pack a swimming costume and towel, or at least a change of clothes for any children visiting, as they will get wet! The wet play area is overlooked by a cafe, which serves a range of hot and cold foods and refreshments, but please note that the cafe is only open on weekends and school holidays during the Winter months. You don't have to eat here, picnics are permitted in the Park itself, just don't light a barbecue (no fires permitted). There is even a free open air cinema in the park during the Summer, but this is a ticketed event, so apply quickly if you wish to attend. This is actually one of only two negatives to Central Park, firstly despite some amazing events, these are rarely promoted in the town or outside of the council's own website, so even locals often miss some fantastic events held throughout the year, especially as free tickets are often snapped up quickly in advance. Thankfully most events do not have restrictions on numbers, so don't feel too bad if you do miss something that is, there is usually something else coming that isn't. Secondly the park is very popular with young children in the Summer months, particularly during the school holiday period and as such can become rather noisy, especially around the splash play area, however if you are willing to walk a little, it won't take you long to find a quieter spot. All in all I believe Central Park is THE top attraction of the Town Centre and is highly recommended for young families. Being so close to the Town's museum and shops, it is a must visit location especially in the warm Summer Months, just remember to check the official website to ensure you don't miss anything extra special!

Written July 30, 2014

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Samuel H

London, UK54 contributions

Really beautiful park to walk through

Sep 2019

I didn't stay in Dartford for long, but the park was a really nice way to start of the day for my long hike.

Written February 11, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

puddingcat

Dartford, UK28 contributions

A real Oasis in the middle of Dartford

Apr 2019 • Solo

Central Park is one of the most important public spaces in the town of Dartford in North Kent. As it's name suggests, located in the very centre of the town it provides a real oasis of calm, and is one of the most frequently used facilities that the town has to offer.
Approaching through the main gates of the Park, located next to the Library, a series a formally laid-out areas (including a rose garden), gives way to a large open green space that is a favorite for children's' activities (such as junior football coaching sessions at weekends), a fenced in play area with a water feature (popular in the hot months) and a wide selection of play equipment; there is also a skate park, a cafe which is open seven days a week, and a bandstand which hosts Sunday afternoon band concerts in the summer months.
The Park is a favourite location for runners and walkers (myself included) and is also home to the Dartford athletics track, which hosts organised sporting events throughout the year. Dartford has a long tradition of running, and there is a Saturday fun-run event held around the Park on Saturday mornings.
On the far side of the park there is a (somewhat under-used) open air theatre where a short programme of performances takes place during the summer.
The Darenth River walk, which begins at the estuary, and runs down into Kent, also runs through part of the park, linking it with other local open spaces.
A few years ago, Central Park was under threat of being partially re-developed as part of a very ill-advised building scheme. Fortunately the local council and the local residents recognized the great value of having a facility such as this in the centre of the town, and successfully mounted a campaign top preserve it.
Central Park is one of Dartford's best features, and although it is probably not worth traveling specifically to visit, if you find yourself in the town, especially in the Summer, it is well worth taking advantage of this real oasis.

Written April 13, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Simon E

Gravesend, UK55 contributions

Not a bad park

Oct 2019

Nice park area in the middle of Dartford, great for photos, walking the dog jogging, picnics, bike riding. or meeting friends.

Written November 5, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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