Dartford is the principal town in the Borough of Dartford, Kent, England. It is located 18 miles (29 kilometres) south-east of Central London and is situated adjacent to the London Borough of Bexley to its west. To its north, across the Thames estuary, is Thurrock in Essex, which can be reached via the Dartford Crossing. The town centre lies 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 by-passes the town itself. Dartford is twinned with Hanau in Germany and Gravelines in France.

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