River Darent

The Darent is a Kentish tributary of the River Thames. Bartholomew's Gazetteer (1951) demonstrates that Darent means "clear water". Considering that it runs on a bed of chalk (calcium carbonate) and its springs rise through chalk, this is not surprising. The word 'Darenth' is frequently found in older books and maps [incorrectly] describing the river. Darenth Parish (through which the river flows) derives its name from a Celtic phrase 'stream where oak-trees grow'. (Irish: "dair" = 'oak-tree', "abha" = river ) (compare e.g."Derwent")

Fed by springs from the greensand hills south of Westerham in Kent and below Limpsfield Chart in Surrey it flows 21 miles (34 km) east then north by Otford and Shoreham, past the castle and the ruined Roman villa at Lullingstone, then by Eynsford, Farningham, Horton Kirby, South Darenth, Sutton-at-Hone, Darenth, and eventually through Dartford whence it proceeds via Dartford Creek for 2 miles until it drops into the Thames "Long Reach".

North of Dartford the Darent is tidal and, just before entering the Thames, the Darent receives the waters of the River Cray at Dartford & Crayford Marshes, where the rivers form a boundary between Greater London and Kent. (SWpecifically, the London Borough of Bexley and the Kentish borough of Dartford)are bounded at this point. The Darent joins Thames Long Reach to the East of Crayford Ness.