Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 16 h 37 min4:42 am – 9:19 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 51 min8:01 am – 3:52 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People6,771 residentsin the Darenth Valley census areaMedian age 46.52,904 households75% of homes owner-occupied41% owned outright11% social rented, 12% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.7% unemployment rate61% of adults are economically active, 3,285 in work, 27% retiredMain industries: construction 14%, retail and wholesale 13%, education 10%Getting to work: 39% work from home, 50% go by car, 6% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle43% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages31% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 6% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 22°C, lows 12°CColdest month January: highs 7°C, lows 1°C700 mm of rain a year, 17 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November57 days of air frost, 21 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksLullingstone Roman Villahistoric site · under a mileFranks Hallhistoric site · 1.8 miEynsford Viaductviaduct · under a mileBroom Hillhill · 1.9 miGold Hillhill · 2.1 miPolly Shawwoodland · under a mileOlivers Shawwoodland · under a mileDingle Dellvalley · 2.4 miSources: Ordnance Survey Open Names; Overture Maps
Parks and green spacesLullingstone and Preston Hill Country Parkpark · 1.0 mi · 287 haPedham Place Golf Centregolf course · under a mile · 116 haCastlefield Allotmentsallotments · under a mileHarvestfield Parkpark · 2.2 mi · 3 haThe Greenpark · 2.5 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes14 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19704 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 28 Apr 200745 mi away, Folkestone, KentMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 9 Feb 202326 mi away, Bicknacre, EssexSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: areas at High risk within 500 m of the centrea 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any year, or greaterAlso medium, low risk areas nearbySource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 9.5 · PM2.5 7.3 · PM10 12 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband68% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband95% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)Every premises can get at least 10 Mbit/s (the universal service obligation)3,031 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation48 m157 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 34 to 132 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalFawkham Manor Hospital3.2 miGP surgeryRiver Darent Medical Group1.1 miPharmacyWest Kingsdown Pharmacy2.2 miDentistDental Beauty Swanley2.5 miPolice stationKent Police Swanley Police Station2.4 miCash machineBrands Hatch, left hand side of Megastore2.1 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Overture Maps
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryThe Anthony Roper Primary Schoolages 4-11, 258 pupilsunder a mileSecondaryOrchards Academyages 11-18, 554 pupils2.7 miCollegeNorth Kent College4.6 miUniversityRose Bruford College6.7 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportLondon City Airport LCY12 miMajor airportLondon Gatwick Airport LGW23 miRailway stationEynsfordunder a mileBus stationBus StationBluewater5.6 miFerryWest Street PierGravesend8.7 miBus stops11 within a mileCar parkDouble Parking SystemsWest Kingsdown1.8 miEV chargingConnected Kerb Charging StationsSwanley2.1 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the DA4 postcode district.
