Several history-related groups meet in Otford and in the Darent Valley. You will find information about these and other related activities below:
The OTFORD 1940S SOCIETY hold bi-monthy meetings (January, March, May, July, September and November) in Otford Village Memorial Hall (OVMH) in the centre of the village adjacent to the car park. The Society organises talks on a wide variety of topics relating (but not exclusive) to the 1940s including military, social, political and cultural history. The national ‘1940s Society’ also publish a free bi-monthly email magazine. You can find details of the Otford programme on the ‘Programme’ page. To find out more please email Otford@1940.co.uk
The OTFORD HERITAGE TRAIL consists of a series of information boards which explain historically important buildings in the village. Each board is linked to a QR code and NFC tag providing your smartphone with a two-minute commentary. Commentaries are available in English, Francais and Deutsch. There is also a series of worksheets for students. You can access the Heritage Trail Map at the following link:
https://visitotford.org/2018/10/25/otford-heritage-trail/
TheARCHBISHOP’S PALACE CONSERVATION TRUST (APCT):The APCT (a registered charity, number 1173486) has been set up with the aim of acquiring the Otford Palace site and buildings and creating a visitor centre that will not only present the history of the Palace and its Tudor history, but also act as an interpretation centre and springboard for the Darent Valley. You can find out more about the work of the Trust and subscribe to its (free) email distribution list for information and updates at the following link:http://otfordpalace.org/background/You can also contact the Trust Secretary by email: secretary@otfordpalace.org
DISCOVER ROMAN OTFORD PROJECT (DROP) is undertaking archaeological research into Roman Otford. You can find out more about the group’s activities, how to become involved and how to join via the website at: https://romanotford.org/
The NORTH WEST KENT FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY also hold regular monthly history meetings in the Village Memorial Hall on Saturday mornings with speakers exploring a wide variety of history topics. NWKFHS also publish a regular newsletter for members.
You can see the NWKFHS programme on their web site at: https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/ . Check the ‘meetings’ page for details of regular meetings held in Otford and Dartford. Visitors are welcome for a small and voluntary entrance fee.
OTFORD LIBRARY, High Street, Otford, TN14 5PH. The library hosts regular exhibitions about local history organised by the 1940s Society. Previous displays have included ‘Do you remember the Prefabs?’, the 1951 Festival of Britain comes to Otford’ and ‘Otford and the Coronation of 1953’. Do pop in to see the latest display!