Thames Estuary: Dartford to Royal Arsenal, Woolwich

[For a ride along the Thames to the East between Dartford and Gravesend, see this blog.]

This ride completed another section of the southern bank of the Thames Estuary, from Dartford to the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. We did this as the final half of a ride from Sevenoaks, and I pick it up from the village of Darenth, a few miles south of Dartford. But the ride could easily be started from Dartford station shortening the distance from 16 to 13 miles. Here is a map.



We soon picked up NCN 125 at Brooklands Lake, and followed this for a short way into Dartford town centre, then picked up the NCN1 which, took us out along Dartford Creek and along the Thames riverside to the jetty at Royal Arsenal, from where we caught the Thames Clipper back to the Bankside jetty, a short ride from Waterloo station  and our return trains home. (NB Although the Clipper stop at London Eye is closer to Waterloo, it takes a lot longer to get to.) This is another really interesting ride, following the riverside (apart from a short departure into Erith). We did not commence this final half of our ride till quite late, so we were riding into the setting sun for much of the way, making for some excellent light conditions: mellow low light looking East, and sunset colours looking West.

Rather jungly path under M25 just north of Darenth

Graffiti on bridge under M25

Path beside the River Darenth

We picked up NCN125 at Brooklands Lake, where the Princes Tunnel takes you under the busy A225

The Princes Tunnel: like all the best Sustrans tunnels, it has piped music

Dartford Central Park

Nice flowers

NCN1 unpromising exit from Dartford town through an industrial estate

The off-road part of NCN1 along Crayford Creek looks a bit overgrown, but persevere, it improves greatly

NCN1 along Dartford Creek

The path widens

Darenth Flood Barrier

M25 Dartford Crossing (actually the Queen Elizabeth Bridge carrying the A282 over the Thames)

Sunset over the NCN1, London in the distance

The NCN1 uses the path along the flood wall

Jetties and depots

Looking across the Thames to the landfill reclamation at Rainham (you can cycle along this bank too, see this blog

Much of the path has been improved with a good tarmac surface, here at Crossness

The path at Thamesmead, Canary Wharf skyscrapers and Barking Creek Flood Barrier in the distance

Thames Clipper arriving at Royal Arsenal

Bikes are stowed at the rear of the boat by the friendly operative

City of London