| Otford | |
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Otford
Otford shown within Kent |
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| Population | 3,528 (2001 Census) |
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| OS grid reference | TQ525590 |
| District | Sevenoaks |
| Shire county | Kent |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Sevenoaks |
| Postcode district | TN14 |
| Dialling code | 01959 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Sevenoaks |
| List of places: UK • England • Kent | |
Otford is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent known for its classically British countryside. The village is located on the River Darent, flowing north down its valley from its source on the North Downs. The name is a contraction of Otterford, possibly derived from Offa, the King of Mercia who fought a battle at Otford against the Kentish Saxons in 776 at the Battle of Otford.
Notable landmarks are the Archbishop's Palace, the duck-pond roundabout, and the scale model of the Solar System which claims to be "the largest scale model in the world".
The parish church is dedicated to St Bartholomew.
According to the 2001 Census, the population of the Otford and Shoreham ward was 4,381, Otford's population being 3,528.
Otford Cricket Club is known for its under 13 team which won five trophies in 2006. They won the Kent Cup by beating Margate in the final.
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Otford lies on the A225, a main road between Dartford and Sevenoaks. The presence of the site of a Roman villa, in addition to the remains of an ancient trackway, suggests that this road has a long history. The M26 motorway uses the valley here as part of its route.
Otford railway station is on the commuter line between London Victoria and Ashford, and is a junction for the branch line to Sevenoaks.
The village is a key stopping-off point on the North Downs Way which runs through the village as it crosses the Darent Valley, intersecting the Darent Valley Path.
Passing through Otford is the Pilgrims' Way, the historic route supposed to have been taken by pilgrims from Winchester in Hampshire, England, to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.
Sevenoaks Information[1] provides a comprehensive What's On events diary for Otford and surrounding area.