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Access to fresh air, a space to breathe and nature filled green spaces make us feel happier and healthier. Our local parks offer us all this and more for free.

Exploring the outdoors hasn’t always been easy for everyone but more parks, woodlands and open spaces are being made accessible with wider paths and removal of gates and stiles. Here are Explore Kent’s top picks for Dartford.

Darenth Country Park

Facilities: parking, play area, rest points, picnic area, waymarked walking routes, public transport accessible.

Located on the edge of the North Downs, above the Darent Valley, there are some beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The park is filled with wildflower meadows and features several new additions to go with the history preserved here, such as The Chapel Orchard. The park is a mix of gravel paths, woodlands and large flat areas, as well as cycle routes and there is free parking across the road.

Dartford Heath

Facilities: parking, rest points, picnic area, waymarked walking routes, public transport accessible.

Not only is Dartford Heath a scenic spot for a walk but it is also brimming with wildlife, with314-acres of varying habitats, including lowland heath, scrubby areas, woodlands, ponds and common land. The Heath has played an important role in Dartford life throughout history since 1660. The park is popular with walkers thanks to its many footpaths and has at least one wheelchair accessible route.

Central Park

Facilities: toilets, disabled toilets (radar key access), parking,disabled parking, rest points, surfaced paths, café, public transport accessible.

As its name suggests, Central Park lies right in the middle of Dartford, and provides the town with a host of facilities such as the café, ornamental gardens, outdoor fitness area, skate park, children’s playground and water play area. Every summer at least 45,000 plants are used to create stunning displays. There’s even a traditional bandstand in the middle of its wide-open lawns, used for concerts in the summer.

If this has inspired you to get outdoors then visit www.explorekent.org for more parks, woodlands and walking routes in Kent.