It is perhaps the natural charms of the Darent Valley that create the appealing look and feel of its landscape. It has a perfectly balanced mix of woodlands, wide expanses of chalk grassland and fields defined by hedgerows, historic parkland and far-reaching views throughout. The character of the Darent Valley slowly changes from its source near Westerham to the saltmarshes at Dartford Marshes alongside the River Thames. Yet it is always held together by the presence of the meandering River Darent itself which is what makes the valley such a special place.
At a landscape scale, a large proportion of the valley is designated as one of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and recognises its natural heritage. However, this is a combination of parts, and the individual habitats that make up the Darent Valley’s varied natural heritage.