Directions
Alkerden Heights is a development situated off Castle Hill Road in Alkerden, Ebbsfleet Garden City, four miles from Gravesend, six miles from Dartford and around 25 miles from central London. The nearest train stations are Swanscombe and Ebbsfleet International, both around 20 minutes' walk away.
Major roads easily accessible from the development include the A2 and the M25. Gatwick Airport is 36 miles away via the M25.
The development lies within the administrative boundaries of Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council, Dartford Borough Council and Kent County Council.
Leisure
Alkerden Heights is situated close to green fields and several parks, including Beacon Wood Country Park and Lakeside Park. Around 10 minutes' drive away, Darenth Country Park lies on the edge of the North Downs and encompasses Saxon burial sites, two orchards, outdoor sculpture, walking trails, cycle routes and a children's play area. Swanscombe Park also has a playground, as well as tennis courts and two bowling greens, and is just a short walk from the development.
Swanscombe and Cygnet leisure centres both offer a variety of facilities, including fitness classes, a gym and sports courts, and in addition, Cygnet has a swimming pool. Both can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car.
The nearest theatre is the Gravesend and District Theatre Guild, around five minutes' drive away. The Orchard Theatre in Dartford stages a comprehensive programme of drama, live music, comedy, dance and family entertainment, while Dartford Open Air Theatre is the venue for outdoor performances during the summer. The Woodville in Gravesend is a multi-purpose venue, presenting exhibitions, community projects, drama, cabaret and cinema, while the nearest multiplex, at Bluewater, shows the latest blockbuster movies, family favourites and live events across 17 screens.
Transport
Major roads easily accessible from Alkerden Heights include the A2/M2 (for Dartford, South London, Chatham, Canterbury and Dover), the M20/A20 (for Sidcup, Lewisham, Maidstone, Ashford and Folkestone), and the M25 Dartford Crossing.
Swanscombe railway station is 20 minutes walk from the development for trains to Gillingham, Dartford, London Bridge, London Blackfriars, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross, among other destinations. Ebbsfleet International is also 20 minutes' walk away and from there regular high-speed services connect with Stratford International in around 10 minutes and London St Pancras in around 20 minutes, as well as with Eurostar services to France, Belgium and Holland.
The nearest airport is London City Airport, which is around 40 minutes away by car via the A2.
Education
There are a number of well-regarded schools in the local area. For younger children these include Manor Community Primary School and The Craylands School, which are both just a short walk from the development, as well as Ebbsfleet Green Primary School, which is five minutes away by car.
Ebbsfleet Academy, which is around 10 minutes' walk away, Northfleet School for Girls and Northfleet Technology College (boys), which are both less than 10 minutes' drive away, are among those schools catering for secondary-age children.
Shopping
For everyday essentials there is a small supermarket within half a mile of the development, and three larger supermarkets within 10 minutes' drive. Bluewater, one of the largest shopping centres in the country with around 350 stores, restaurants and caf?s, is located just three miles from the development.
Thamesgate Shopping Centre in Gravesend and The Priory Shopping Centre in Dartford, can both be reached in around 15 minutes by car
