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Voykit pocket guide · United Kingdom
Dartford
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Dartford; stay only if you need a base for a car‑free day‑trip to nearby Gravesend or Bluewater.
Dartford is a commuter town in Kent with good rail links to London (15‑17 min) and road access via the A2 and M25. Its main attractions are Tilbury Fort (13 mi east), the Orchards Shopping Centre, and the Flying Boat pub. A short visit covers the key sights; overnight accommodation is optional for early‑morning commuters or families using the town as a parking base for the Bluewater outlet centre.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Best months
- May–September
- Avoid
- January–February (cold, limited daylight)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GBP
- Money
- Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £). Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; some places are card-only.
- Daily spend
- Budget £30–£50 excl. bed · Mid £50–£80 excl. bed · High £80+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines, no registration needed.
- Emergency
- Police 999 · Medical 999 · NHS non‑urgent 111
- Plugs
- Types G · 230 V · 50 Hz · Three-pin Type G only; European, US and Australian plugs need an adapter. Bathrooms have two-pin shaver sockets only.
- Tipping
- Restaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.; Pub or bar: Not expected; 'and one for yourself' offers the bartender a drink.; Taxi: Round up or 10%.; Hotel porter: £1–2 per bag.; Tour guide: £5–10 per person for a day tour; free walking tours expect £10–15.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere. Free refills are common; restaurants will bring tap water if you ask.
- Toilets
- Public toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 or are card-only. Stations, museums, department stores and pubs (if you buy a drink) are the fallback.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at café | £2–£3 |
| Pub pint | £3–£5 |
| Fast‑food meal | £5–£8 |
| Tilbury Fort entry | £4.60 adult, £2.80 child |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LGW · London Gatwick
- About 45–60 min by train via London or by car via the M25; check connections from Dartford station.
- LHR · London Heathrow
- About 1–1.5 h by car via the M25; rail routes change at London stations, check before you travel.
- SEN · London Southend
- About 1 h by car via the A2 and M25; check rail options.
- LCY · London City
- About 40–50 min by car via the A2; check DLR and rail connections.
Typical fares
- London St Pancras → Dartford (SouthEastern)
- ≈ £12 off‑peak return (check)
- M25/Dartford toll bridge
- £3 per crossing, pay online
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Rail: SouthEastern trains from London St Pancras to Dartford (15‑17 min). Car: A2 from London or M25; toll bridge/tunnel paid online. Buses: Fastrack and Arriva Kent Thameside services within town.
See and do
Known for
- Tilbury Fort
- Orchards Shopping Centre
- Bluewater outlet centre
- The Flying Boat pub
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tilbury Fort | Train to Tilbury Town (15 min) then bus or walk 2 km (1.2 mi)Train to Tilbury Town (15 min) then bus or walk 1.2 mi (2 km) | ≈45 min |
| Bluewater Shopping Centre | Car via M25 to Greenhithe, 10 min; bus Fastrack line 1 from Dartford | ≈30 min |
| Gravesend | Train to Gravesend (5 min) or car via A2 (10 min) | ≈15 min |
Sleep
- Holiday Inn Express London Dartford
- Close to railway station; good for early trains.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge
- Near M25; suitable for car‑based visitors.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | SorrySorry |
| Thank you | Thank youThank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it?How much is it? |
| Where is the toilet? | Where is the toilet?Where is the toilet? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake at first meeting; 'hi' and first names quickly; avoid: Cheek kisses with strangers
- Conversation: Weather is a safe opener; understatement and self-deprecating humour; avoid: Asking about salary or class
- Queues: Join at the back; avoid: Pushing onto buses or trains before others get off
- Apologies: 'Sorry' is said constantly, even when not at fault; avoid: Taking it as an admission of blame
- Pubs: Buy rounds in a group; wait at the bar without waving money; avoid: Clicking fingers at staff
- Nations: Call Scots Scottish and Welsh Welsh; avoid: Calling the whole UK 'England'
Scams and watch-outs
- Toll bridge/tunnel charges are billed online; late payment incurs a fine.
- Last local bus may depart before 22:00; check schedules.
- Tilbury Fort entry fee: adults £4.60, children £2.80.
Dartford is generally safe; watch for traffic on the A2/M25 and keep belongings secure on trains, especially late at night.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Dartford yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tilbury Fort
- Orchards Shopping Centre
- Bluewater outlet centre
- The Flying Boat pub
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- English Heritage – Tilbury Fort: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tilbury-fort/
- Bluewater Shopping Centre: bluewater.co.uk/
- Wikivoyage: Dartford, revision 5272909 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5272909
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/dartford). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.