River Cray

The River Cray is a tributary of the River Darent in southern England, rising in Priory Gardens Orpington, where rainwater permeates the chalk bedrock and forms a pond at the boundary between the chalk and impermeable clay. Initially it flows northwards, past the industrial and residential area of St Mary Cray, through St Paul's Cray and through Foots Cray, where it enters the parkland of Foots Cray Meadows, flowing under Five Arches bridge and past Loring Hall, once the home of Lord Castlereagh, who committed suicide there in 1822. It continues northwards through North Cray and Bexley, where there is a restored Gothic cold plunge bath house, built around 1766 as part of Vale Mascal Estate. It is then joined by the River Shuttle and then continues through the parkland of Hall Place, which was built for John Champneys in 1540. The Cray now turns eastward through Crayford and Barnes Cray to join the River Darent in Dartford Creek. The Creek flows northward to enter the River Thames between Crayford Marshes and Dartford Marshes at a point known as Crayford Ness. The villages through which the Cray flows are collectively known as "The Crays".OverviewClean-ups on the river and campaigns for responsible angling are organised by the Cray Anglers Conservation Group. The tidal section is effectively monitored and maintained by The Dartford and Crayford Restoration Trust, who also organise Lengthsman duties for the banks. There is a signposted public footpath called the Cray Riverway alongside the river, beginning at Foots Cray Meadows and continuing for 10 miles (about 16 km) northwards to the Thames. It is part of the London LOOP. The river is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.