This neighbourhood is 18 miles south-east of central London and contains Dartford, the foremost town in the borough of Dartford, Kent. The River Cray runs through the area and its lush green banks provide ideal dog-walking territory. The remainder of this neighbourhood’s key features are industrial. Acorn Industrial Park, just south of the river, is flanked by Tower Industrial Estate and Retail Park. The area also contains a popular school: Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy. A non-selective state school for boys and girls aged 3-19, the school has been awarded 4 stars by Schools Guide.

This area played a crucial role in the early stages of the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt. Also known as Wat Tyler’s rebellion, the Peasants’ Revolt was the first great popular rebellion in English history. After the imposition of an unpopular poll tax, Essex rebels marched south to join rebels in Kent who had been galvanised by the mistreatment of local Robert Belling. Kent and Essex detachments marched together to Rochester and Canterbury – the revolt had begun!

Wat Tyler himself, leader of the Peasants’ Rebellion, is often said to have come from the neighbouring area of Dartford. It is thought that his surname ‘Tyler’ is a nickname originating from his occupation as a roof tiler. Tyler led the rebellion all the way to London, crossed London Bridge and launched a massive assault on the capital. The rebels burned prisons and freed inmates, destroyed public records, and killed associates of the King. The uprising was hair-raising enough to prompt King Richard (then fourteen years old), to meet Tyler – to whom he granted concessions and promised a full pardon for all those who participated in the rebellion. However, Tyler and his followers did not think the king’s concessions had been far-reaching enough to achieve justice. Tyler eventually died when he attacked the London mayor, William Walworth. The mayor who was saved by his armour, stabbed Tyler, and publicly beheaded him.

The Dartford Borough Fire Engine is a prized possession of this region. The fire engine, known as “Borough of Dartford” was once the Leyland Fire Engine. It passed to Kent Fire Brigade following the nationalisation of the fire service in 1941. It was retired in 1973 and has been kept as a museum piece ever since – a vintage firefighting relic! Apparently, it’s a regular visitor at weddings, too.

This neighbourhood is arguably a retail-dominated, commercial area, populated for the most part by shopping centres and little else. Locals, however, praised their proximity to the shops and particularly the ‘massive Crayford Sainsburys!’ A shop owner also commented that the area feels safe and child-friendly.

Acorn Industrial Park is thriving and the space is constantly attracting business; retail premises were advertised a few years back at £50,000. In 2017, several locations on the site were renovated to cope with the increasing demands for storage space. As for Crayford, new development in the area is on the rise, prompted by the regeneration plans for Dartford Town Centre. In 2019, a proposal was submitted for the redevelopment of a disused industrial site in Crayford into 35 affordable homes by Bellway London Partnerships, along the banks of the River Cray. In late 2022, a planning application was also submitted to Bexley council to construct 568 homes in the area.