Dartford is on the Darent, the smallest of the four rivers that cut through the North Downs to drain into the Thames basin. The A2/M25 interchange has obliterated the Dartford/Darenth road, so after Dartford parkland the arc weaves south through lanes in little-known countryside via Wilmington and Swanley Bottom to Sutton-at-Hone, where in 2025 the route was modified to include more of the Darent valley. The highlight of the route is Eynsford to Lullingstone Country Park.
Turn L out of Dartford and take steps down to R Darent cycle path (for Spinoff 4 cross the river, and L to find NCN125 signs N). Follow NCN125 signs winding through the Town’s park to 1 Brooklands Lake; take the causeway path straight through the middle of lake, then Powder Mill Lane. Cross A225 and climb on B258 through Wilmington. 2.3 L on bridleway Stock Lane and through to the road to Hextable. L 3.2 and descend to the Darent valley again at 5 Sutton-at-Hone. R on A225 briefly before 5.4 L on a side road to join the South Darenth to Horton Kirby lane. This continues above the valley under M20 to 8.2 A20 at Farningham.
Before the fine village of Farningham 8.3, Spinoff 5 var climbs up the lovely Knatts Valley. Great cycling! The village straddles the river (with a quirky folly-bridge by the road). L 8.7 to take the quiet Sparepenny Lane to Eynsford 9.8. Turn L to enjoy the village (and ford), and for Spinoff 5 Kentish Weald Loop (also R just before for Swanley link S).
Cycle Orbital continues R on to 10.5 Lullingstone Roman Villa and 10.9 Lullingstone Castle. Walk alongside the Darent (10 mins), or take the parallel path at the foot of the meadow alongside, to Lullingstone Country Park Centre 11.3. At 12.5 Shoreham High Street/Shacklands Road junction you must choose: tak’ the High Road Arc 5 high or tak’ the Low - Arc 5 low
