[2] Cricket was first played on Dartford Brent, an area of common land to the east of the town on which the modern Hesketh Park ground is situated.

The earliest known match between two county sides took place on the Brent in 1709 with a Kent team playing one from Surrey.

[5][6][7] Kent County Cricket Club used Hesketh Park for First XI fixtures between 1956 and 1990.

The first first-class cricket match on the ground took place in May 1956 and saw Kent play Essex.

A total of 33 first-class matches were held on the ground, with Kent playing a County Championship fixture at Dartford in most seasons from 1956 until 1990.

[5] The pavilion project was part funded by Dartford Borough Council with a grant of £1 million.

[14][15] A total of 33 first-class and two List A matches were held on the ground, all with Kent as the home team.