Living in Dartford

Moving to Dartford: Everything You Need to Know

Thinking of moving to Dartford? This North West Kent town has become a firm favourite with people leaving London for more space and better value, without giving up their commute. Here is everything you need to know before you make the move, from transport and house prices to schools and things to do.

Why people move to Dartford

Dartford offers a genuinely appealing mix: fast links into London, more home for your money than the capital, plenty of green space and Bluewater on the doorstep. It draws first-time buyers priced out of London, growing families after space and schools, and downsizers who want convenience close to home.

Getting around

Dartford station runs frequent Southeastern trains into London Bridge, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Victoria, typically in around 40 to 50 minutes. For the fastest run into town, nearby Ebbsfleet International offers high-speed services into St Pancras in around 17 minutes. Drivers have the M25, A2 and Dartford Crossing close by, though the Crossing can get busy at peak times.

House prices and renting

At the time of writing, the average home in Dartford sells for around £345,000, with first-time buyers paying closer to £297,000, though prices vary widely by area and property type. Renting averages around £1,560 a month. These figures move over time, so treat them as a guide rather than a fixed number.

Schools

Dartford is well known for its grammar schools, including Dartford Grammar School and Dartford Grammar School for Girls, along with the Wilmington grammar schools and a range of primary and secondary academies. Good schooling is one of the main reasons families choose the area.

Things to do

Central Park sits right in the town for green space and events, the Orchard Theatre hosts shows and comedy, and Bluewater offers shopping, dining and cinema nearby. For the outdoors, Dartford Heath and the Darent Valley give you miles of walking and countryside on the doorstep.

Where to live

From the walkable town centre to leafy Wilmington, the Greenhithe riverside or newer developments like The Bridge, Dartford has an area to suit most budgets and lifestyles. It is worth exploring a few before you decide. Our areas we cover page gives a feel for the wider patch.

Getting settled

Once you have chosen an area, the usual practical steps apply: line up your finances and a mortgage in principle if you are buying, register with local agents so you hear about the right homes first, and factor in moving costs on top of your deposit. A local team can make the whole move smoother.

Frequently asked questions