[1] Starting at Busstop Q on Instone Road (which Horseman's Place Surgery backs on to) and facing the main road and the large car park and covered market area, walk to the right and follow Instone Road towards the underpass and the corner of the road, with Dartford social club to your right.
(A) Horseman's Place Surgery is near the site of the original Horseman’s Place which was an important Dartford Residence that existed in various forms from 1321 until a doctor’s surgery was built there.
[2] Walk past the social club and turn right into Lowfield street. (Caution: Busy road and uneven pavement). Walk past the Job Centre and Lowfield Medical centre to your right and at the Royal Sian restaurant, cross over the road at the pedestrian crossing.
[3] Turn left and then immediately right down the alley towards Central Park. (Caution: uneven pavement) and enter the park through the gate.
(B) Central Park is a 26 acre park with formal gardens, play and exercise areas and a large open space. The River Darent runs along its eastern boundary.
[4] Turn right and follow the tarmac path as it curves to the left, passing a variety of trees and the Bandstand on your left.
[5] At the signpost, turn right along the gravel path walk past the Outdoor fitness centre on your left. Stop here for some additional exercise if you wish!
[6] At the end of the short gravel path turn right onto the tarmac path and follow this to the green metal barrier, walking past a toilet block before you get there.
[7] Go through the barrier and turn left, following the sign for the Darent Valley path.
(C) The Darent Valley path is a 19 mile (31 km) long, waymarked path following the River Darenth from the banks of the River Thames at Dartford through the Kent Downs to the Greensand Hills near Sevenoaks.
Keep left and walk past the sports pavillion and then the running track on the right, which is used by the Dartford Harriers.
(D) The Dartford Harriers atheletics track is also where Zola Budd, former world record holder for running 5000 metres, ran her first competive race in the UK.
[8] Just past the green litter bin, where the main track curves to the left, go right (with the running track still to your right) and walk along the gravel path and follow this to the corner of the park, where there is a large fir tree.
[9] Walk past the fir tree, turning left along the tarmac path, still signed as Darent Valley path. (Caution:The path may be covered with leaves and slippery in autumn). Follow the path towards the skate park, with the River Darenth to your right.
(E) The River Darenth (or Darent) runs into the River Thames, and the name is thought to be Celtic and means 'river where oak trees grow'.
You will soon come to some large Weeping Willow trees and then a bridge on the right. Walk past these to the sign post.
[10] At the sign post, turn left following the sign towards the tea room and bandstand. Continue along the main path, passing the skateboard park to the left and more willow trees to the right, and walk towards the white wooden building (Cafe in the Park).
(F) The Cafe in the Park is open from 8 a.m. every day and serves a variety of hot and cold drinks, snacks and meals at reasonable prices.
[11] Unless stopping for refreshment, turn right just before the cafe and go through the gates (signposted no dogs). The river Darenth is still to the right and you may see ducks and moorhens here. Continue to follow the tarmac path towards the red brick building, with the children’s play area to your left.
[12] Follow the path as it turns left by the red brick building and continue straight on towards the toddler-swings (in an enclosed area). At the ‘junction’ of paths keep to the right, and you soon will see a gate. Go through this.
[13] After going through the gate, walk to your right and go over the old stone bridge.
(G) The old bridge here is one of the stone arches from the original medieval town bridge which was rebuilt in 1923 over a stream which is now underground.
Walk ahead towards the flower borders. Looking to your right, you will soon see the park exit to your right and a large building which is Dartford Museum and Library.
(H) Dartford Borough Museum and Library was originally a house and gardens in the 19th century but was later a bank, and a Conservative Club before becoming municipal offices when the gardens were opened to the public.
Follow the path past the flower borders towards the library and park exit. Leave the park, passing the war memorial to your left and the library to your right.
(I) The War memorial originates from 1922 and commemorates the fallen of the First World War (1914-1918) and Second World War (1939-45) and the Korean War (1950-53).
[14] Turn left onto Market Street and continue along the pavement (Caution: Pavement uneven in places and road busy) passing trees and a car park on your left. Walk towards and then past the Robinson Jackson Estate Agent, and continue towards the pedestrian crossing. Cross over the road here carefully.
[15] Turn left onto Lowfield Road, and follow the sign towards the Thursday market passing the Priory Centre to your right and walk towards the Two Brewers pub. Unless stopping for a drink, continue past the pub (take care as pavement is uneven). At the road junction walk via the underpass to the other side of Instone Road.
[16] Turn right and follow the pavement the short distance back to Horseman’s Place.