Dartford

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Dartford is a town in the northwestern part of the county of Kent in South East England and the administrative center of the borough of the same name. The city immediately adjacent to Greater London.

The city is located in the Darent valley through which the old military road leads from London to Dover. The name of the city means ford ( ford ) by the Darent. Today in Dartford live mainly commuters who work in London. The population is 56,818 (as of 2001). In addition, the city is known as the site of one of the largest shopping centers in England ( Bluewater Shopping Centre).

History

Archaeological finds evidence of a settlement in the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. The Romans built Watling Street by Dubris ( Dover) to London. She crossed the river. Very close to the Roman settlement was Noviomagus (today Crayford ). Dartford is mentioned in the Domesday Book.

During the Middle Ages a settlement to a small market town was. Two fraternities, the Dominicans and the Franciscans, built hospitals, which should primarily serve the pilgrims on the way to the south. 1576 a gymnasium was built. Even in the late 17th century arose in Dartford iron processing plants.

A German immigrant named Spielman (or fiddler ) built in the 18th century, the second paper mill in England. In her more than 600 workers were employed, which came mostly from Germany. On the crest of Spielman, showing the head of a fool, the English paper size is foolscap (203 × 330 mm) back. Spielman is buried in the town church.

Mid 18th century, was built after the Canterbury Road from London that crossed Dartford. A little later Dartford was connected to Sevenoaks.

Traffic

Meanwhile, Dartford is relieved by a ring road. The first railway link to London was the North Kent Line via Woolwich in 1849, which led from Gravesend on the Medway Towns. Later more lines were built:

• The Dartford Loop Line via Sidcup (1866 )
• The Bexleyheath line (1895 )

Thus Dartford was an important railway junction. Since June 6, 1926, the routes are electrified. The present station buildings date from the 1980s.

The Dartford Tunnel is a highway tunnel that passes under the Thames here. He is an important link between London and Dover and costs tolls. Since 1991, crossed the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, the Thames, part of the Motorway M25.

Personalities

From Dartford originate (Sir) Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones band members. They knew each other from kindergarten and met in 1961 at Dartford train station again. In addition, Mick Jagger has sold ice prior to Dartford Library and Keith bought him from one thing: "I bought him from one and also what he earned it," said Keith. Also known is the artist Sir Peter Blake and the nurse Doreen Norton. The award-winning for her debut film actress Katie Jarvis Fish Tank was born in Dartford in 1991. Also comes the football player and coach Malcolm Allison from Dartford. Sir George Holroyd Mills, former officer in the Royal Air Force and later Black Rod in the House of Lords, was also born in Dartford.

Twinning

• Hanau, Germany
• Capelle aan den IJssel, The Netherlands ( since 1989)
• Tallinn, Estonia ( since 1992)
• Gravelines, France (since 1992)

Dartford Heath

This area is located west of the original city area, from where comes the Dartford Warbler.