Top parks and gardens to visit in and around Dartford
Beautiful spots for a walk and taking in the scenery or observing wildlife surrounding the area.
Parks and Walks in and around Dartford
Dartford is a town on the River Thames, in Kent, England. It lies between Gravesend to the northeast; Erith & Belvedere to the northwest, and Bexley to the South West.
The construction of several business parks in the region during the 1990s helped the local economy. With Crossways Business Park at the base of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge being the largest. As new outlet stores B&Q, M&S Simply Food, TK Maxx, and Asda Living opened in the town centre in 2007, the number of chain stores in Dartford increased.
Beautiful spots for a walk and taking in the scenery or observing wildlife surround the area. Maintaining mobility is important for staying healthy. Examples include a fast walk around the park or a leisurely stroll to the end of the road and back.
If you are looking for some outdoor activities for the elderly in the surrounding areas of Dartford then you’ve come to the right place!
The Benefits of Public Parks for Seniors
Public parks provide seniors with opportunities to meet new people, exercise, and relax. They also offer senior citizens a chance to stay active and healthy. Many cities around the world have public parks where seniors can go to play chess, read books, and just hang out.
Are walks good for the elderly?
Walking is an excellent form of exercise that helps keep your body fit and strong. Walking is one of the best ways to get more energy and improve your overall health. If you’re not used to walking, it may take time to build up your stamina. Start slowly and gradually increase the distance each week until you reach your goal.
How does open spaces affect someone with dementia?
Open spaces help people with dementia feel safe and comfortable. They also allow them to be active and participate in activities they like. If you want to visit an environment where people with dementia feel at home, consider a place with plants as it can stimulate the senses.
There are many parks and open spaces in the area, including:
A wonderful walking route for the elderly community is to wander the Rainham Marshes. Throughout the entire year, you won’t have to travel very far from the city to breathe some fresh air.
Many of the hides at Rainham Marshes offer excellent views of wildlife even without binoculars! But you can rent a set from the reserve for the day, or purchase one from their selection.
The Thames waterfront walkways offer beautiful views of the river, where you can see London, boats, and birds. The paths and boardwalks are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, jogging, cycling, and canine strolls so you can explore the marshes all year.
About 26 acres make up Central Park. It features formal gardens close to the Town Centre, attractive sections, and unstructured open space nearer the park’s southern end along Princes Road.
The formal gardens, which border the War Memorial and Library, feature summer and winter bedding. Herbaceous and shrub beds, as well as a carpet bed that, in the summer, shows the logo of a nearby organisation.
A rose garden and pergola, was added in 2002 and are quite magnificent in full bloom, complementing the traditional grounds.
Many events take place in Central Park, especially in the summer, such as the well-liked Dartford Festival in July.
At the southern end of the park, next to Fairfield Pool, there are public restrooms, a small parking lot, and restrooms right outside the park on Market Street.
The park is quite well-liked by the community and tourists.
At Lamorbey Park, which is situated in a 57-hectare park. It dates from the middle of the 18th century, early 20th-century gardens have been united with early 19th-century pleasure grounds.
Burnt Oak Lane, to the west, winds around the periphery of the college grounds. Where a number of contemporary ancillary buildings and new plantings obscure views of the mansion. This is where the main entrance to the pleasure grounds is located.
As you travel west through the Glade, the walkway continues to the north of a surviving wall; this area is usually covered in roses. The trail then splits in two. The western branch continues around the Dell, a steep-sided oval covered in grass and heathers; and the eastern branch enters the College grounds through a wrought-iron gate.
The park is open from 8am to dusk.
Hall Place and Gardens, Danson Park
One of the best-kept secrets in the South East. It is a gorgeous setting for weddings and other celebrations, as well as a variety of exhibitions and public community events. Making this ancient house and garden a popular destination all year long.
With the exception of Christmas and New Year, Hall Place Gardens are open every day of the year from 9 am to 9:30 pm in the summer. 9 am to 4 pm in the winter. The Historic House and its exhibits are only accessible through scheduled guided visits. The tourist centre, café, and gardens are always open to the public without charge. The Bexley Butterfly House and Jambs Owls Experience have separate admission fees.
Erith Pier
Erith Pier is steeped in history and tales dating as far back as 1842.
Nowadays, people seeking peace and quiet, fishermen, and ship-spotters frequent Erith Pier. You’ll find that it is rarely crowded and perfect for anyone who wants to have a mindful walk or observe the gulls.
Lesnes Abbey Woods, Park and Gardens
The Monk’s Garden has been recreated as part of the restoration work at Lesnes Abbey Woods. One of the region’s few infirmaries would have belonged to the monks of Lesnes, who would have treated the sick there. They would have produced a variety of herbs to prevent illness and treat wounds as part of this work. The plants that are growing in the monks’ garden are a sample of what would have been grown by those in charge of the infirmary.
An amazing view of the London skyline can be had from the viewing platform, which is perched atop the hill between the Abbey and the play area. A brilliant place for families to spend the afternoon.
Many other famous London structures, including The Shard, are visible from this vantage point.
Local metalsmith Heather Burrell created the window arches. If you look closely, you can see a poem that was penned by locals from Bexley, Thamesmead, and Belvedere engraved on the frame.
A cricket field is located at Hesketh Park in Dartford, Kent. One of the first cricket clubs in the UK, Dartford Cricket Club, calls the stadium home. The Kent County Cricket Club has used the ground, which was built around the turn of the 20th century, as a place to play first-class cricket.
Hesketh Park is a brilliant day out to watch a game of cricket.
In the English county of Kent, Shorne Wood Country Park is situated halfway between Strood and Gravesend. It was formerly a part of a sizeable estate that the county government later received to be used as a country park.
There are numerous coloured waymarked routes all over the national park.
These include the following:
Purple Route (Easy), 1.4 km
Red Route (Medium), 3.7 miles
The centre includes a store, noticeboards, and a cafe.
FAQS
Is Dartford Kent or London?
Dartford, is 18 miles southeast of Central London. It is technically part of the shire county of Kent; while being nearly a part of London, it isn’t considered to be. Despite this, Dartford continues to have strong ties to London.
What is the best environment for dementia patients?
A garden provides access to sunlight, exercise, and fresh air, all of which are essential for wellbeing. If they can regularly access exercise, fresh air, and quiet space away from others, people with dementia are often less likely to grow anxious and unhappy.
Is sunlight good for dementia patients?
Being outside in the sunlight, especially in the morning when the sun is at its highest, can assist enhance functioning, make people with dementia more aware, reduce their risk of falling, and reset their body’s internal clock.
Is Bexley a nice place to live?
Over a third of the borough of Bexley contains open space, including sizeable parks, wooded areas, and nature reserves. Kent’s undulating hills are also conveniently close by.
What is Erith famous for?
Erith had substantial industrial and residential growth during the Victorian era. The main cause of development was the expansion of the town, which was facilitated by the construction of the still-standing Erith railway station on the North Kent Line in 1849.
