Dartford Brent

Dartford Brent

Brent Mill, Dartford. Painting reproduced as a postcard. Mill demolished 1901
Ground information
Location	Dartford, Kent
Coordinates	51°26′17″N 0°13′59″E / 51.438°N 0.233°E / 51.438; 0.233
Home club	Dartford Cricket Club
Establishment	before 1709
Last used	1930
Team information
Dartford Cricket Club (1709–1930)
As of 18 December 2018 Source: CricketArchive

Dartford Brent was an extensive area of common land on the outskirts of Dartford in Kent. Historically, it was the scene of a confrontation between King Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York in 1452 and in 1555 thousands of spectators were to witness the burning to death at the stake of Christopher Ward, a Dartford linen weaver, executed for his Protestant faith.

Part of Dartford Brent was a cricket venue in the 18th century and it was almost certainly used for cricket during the 17th century. It was noted for the quality of its turf, which was said to be "as smooth as a bowling green".^[1] Dartford Cricket Club still plays in the Kent Cricket League and its present ground at Hesketh Park is on part of the Brent.^[2]

The Brent is now primarily known as the name of a main road in east Dartford linking Dartford town centre and Stone, forming part of the A226. 'Brent' is a Kentish dialect word meaning 'steep'^[3] and its use here possibly refers to the area of the Brent being located atop Dartford's East Hill.