Central Park — Attraction in Dartford

Central Park comprises some 26 acres ranging from formal gardens near to the Town Centre, through ornamental areas to informal open space at the southern end towards Princes Road. The picturesque River Darent runs along the park's eastern boundary.

The formal gardens abut the War Memorial and Library and include summer and winter bedding, herbaceous and shrub beds, together with a carpet bed which depicts the badge of a local organisation in the summer months.

Each summer at least 45,000 plants are used to create stunning colourful bedding displays.

The formal gardens are complimented by a rose garden and pergola, which was installed in 2002 and is quite spectacular when in full bloom.

The park is extremely popular with local children and visitors alike.

The informal areas of the park include large grass areas, junior football pitches, secluded tree shaded walks by the river and is home to the Dartford Harriers running track and pavilion.

Central Park hosts numerous events, particularly in summer, including the popular Dartford Festival in July.

There are public conveniences* and a small car park near the Cranford Road entrance at the southern end of the park (next to Fairfield Pool), and conveniences just outside the park in Market Street.

The park has a large children's playground which has a variety of traditional swings and slides as well as a climbing net, aerial runway, climbing wall, graffiti wall, track for bikes, skate boards etc, and a fully enclosed ball games area, all of which is monitored by CCTV.

The very popular Skatepark is located in...

Buccaneer Bay at Dartford Central Park is a true gem for families in the area. It’s more than just a playground—it’s a vibrant community hub where children can play freely in a safe, well-maintained environment. The sense of togetherness here is incredible; parents, carers, and kids alike all contribute to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The space itself is thoughtfully designed, offering plenty of exciting play structures that encourage adventure, creativity, and physical activity. Whether it’s climbing, swinging, or running around, kids have endless opportunities to burn off energy while having a fantastic time. Importantly, it’s a place where families can relax knowing their children are playing safely, which is invaluable in today’s world.

A huge thank you to Dartford Council and everyone involved in making Buccaneer Bay such a fantastic place. It’s clear that a lot of effort goes into keeping it clean, safe, and fun for all. This playground isn’t just a fun spot; it’s a cornerstone of the local community, supporting families and ensuring that kids have a space to grow, explore, and just be kids. So grateful for this amazing resource...

The park has recently been renovated in an epic 1.1mil project and although.. it’s impressive in some respects, it’s bright and tacky which kids love, but the design and layout is horrendous, if you have more than one child and they are young, you will be pulling your head for not being able to see them as large structures obscure other areas of the park. It’s the most stressful environment I’ve ever experienced as a parent in a park. Why oh why couldn’t Dartford BC think about the mental health of the community and have a park that represents an up lift in the area - with some much more natural based materials and adventure play with real wood structures and some bark and some trees? It looks like a toy room has vomited in the park. Can you ever go there with a blanket and sit down and relax, ever? No. What on earth were you thinking. I’d give it a 1 star but the 2 is just based on how impressive the spend was. I’m impressed with how wasteful it has been. Thanks for uplifting our community with more tat. Really...