Situated in the northwest corner of Kent, 16 miles south–east of London, the town centre is situated in a valley through which the River Darent flows, and where the old road from London to Dover crossed: hence the name which derives from Darent + ford. A market town in medieval times important for its agricultural trading and later for related industries such as the brewing of traditional beers and ales, lime–making, chalk mining and fulling (the cleansing of wool for weaving), all of which were facilitated by its riverside location. Today it is principally a commuter town for Greater London.

Dartford has a wide selection of affordable housing from the smaller one and two bedroom starter homes to three bed family homes. It also has many fine schools, colleges and further education facilties.

It is an important rail hub and although the main through–road now avoids the town itself, it is very close to A2 and M25 and famous for the Dartford Tunnel under the River Thames which opened in 1963, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, opened in 1991 and part of the A282 which links the London Orbital by bringing traffic across the river above ground. The A206 forms a bypass to the north of the town which mainly serves to bring traffic from the riverside industrial developments on to the Dartford Crossing. Major shopping centres feature all the major commercial names and The Orchard Theatre and Mick Jagger Centre provide good culture and entertainment. Central Park comprises 26 acres of open space in the urban centre and nearby Dartford Heath is proclaimed an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.