Lullingstone Roman Villa and the Darent Valley
View of a section of river through woodland.

River Darent

The river Darent is a tributary of the river Thames. It runs through the Darent Valley and was an important water source for the Roman settlements there.

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A simple map of the Darent Valley showing a green landscape with the River Darent and the small streams feeding into it cutting across.
This simple map shows how the river Darent is connected to the Thames and many small tributaries and streams across the local area.

Where is the river and why was it important to the Romans?

The river Darent is fed by springs in Westerham in Kent. It flows from there towards Otford and Shoreham, past Lullingstone Roman Villa. Then it passes by Eynsford, Farningham, Horton Kirby and eventually to Dartford. Two miles past Dartford, the river Darent joins the river Thames.

The Darent was an important water source for the Romans. They used water for cooking and washing and in lots of different industries like farming, wool-working and milling. The Romans could also use the river to transport their goods northwards towards the Thames estuary.

Low lying water across a sandbank at Crayford Marshes. Seagulls sit on top of the sandbanks amongst the water.

Crayford Marshes

Crayford Marshes

The River Darent feeds into the River Thames at an estuary. The River Darent divides the Dartford and Crayford Marshes here. 

 

© John Miller



Looking down the River Darent with long grass banks either side.

Dartford Marshes

Dartford Marshes

Today, the Dartford Marshes are at the very eastern end of London. The River Darent divides the Dartford and Crayford Marshes. The River Darent joins the River Thames at an estuary between the two marshes. 

 

© John Miller



Shoreham

Shoreham

The River Darent runs past the site of a Roman bath house at Shoreham. Water from the river could have been used for bathing inside the bath house. 

 

A view of the River Darent at Shoreham © John Miller 



A view down the River Darent at Farningham showing tall bare trees at the side of the river.

Farningham

Farningham

A villa has been found at Farningham as well as evidence of Romano-British farmsteads. 

Water from the river was used inside the villa and around the farmsteads for washing, cooking and drinking. 

 

A view of the River Darent at Farningham © Adam Swaine 



Has the River Changed Over Time?

It's likely that the course of the River Darent has changed many times over the centuries. The river today might not be exactly as it was during Roman times. LiDAR and geophysical surveys have helped archaeologists understand this change. 

These changes can make it difficult for us to visualise the villas along the river as they would have been during the Roman period in Britain. They may have been closer to the river or further from it. It's likely that the river would have been wider and deeper too. This allowed people to travel up and down the river on boats and transport goods.