Deal guidebook
Local towns of interest
So much to see within 15-45 minutes drive away!
Deal
Friendly small seaside town, your base!
More than just a ferry port, fantastic history. Borrow the 'Dover - What We Saw' book for some great walks around key areas, and the Castle is fantastic.
52 locals recommend
Dover
More than just a ferry port, fantastic history. Borrow the 'Dover - What We Saw' book for some great walks around key areas, and the Castle is fantastic.
Home to Shepheard Neame brewery, countless charming pubs, and walks along the creek. Also has great markets and an outdoor pool.
69 locals recommend
Faversham
Home to Shepheard Neame brewery, countless charming pubs, and walks along the creek. Also has great markets and an outdoor pool.
Historic cathedral city, which I mainly come to for The Goods Shed food market, where you can buy fantastic local produce or sit and eat exceptional food at their in-house restaurant.
369 locals recommend
Canterbury
Historic cathedral city, which I mainly come to for The Goods Shed food market, where you can buy fantastic local produce or sit and eat exceptional food at their in-house restaurant.
Rapidly regenerating art and foodie hub, with some great galleries (including Turner Contemporary) and restaurants. Good sandy beaches away from town.
160 locals recommend
UpMargate
20 The CentreRapidly regenerating art and foodie hub, with some great galleries (including Turner Contemporary) and restaurants. Good sandy beaches away from town.
With a working marina and the UK's largest Weatherspoon's pub, Ramsgate has some nice beaches. I like to walk the dog from here to Broadstairs (30 mins), stop for lunch or an ice cream (Flotsam & Jetsam/Morelli's) then walk back.
89 locals recommend
Ramsgate
With a working marina and the UK's largest Weatherspoon's pub, Ramsgate has some nice beaches. I like to walk the dog from here to Broadstairs (30 mins), stop for lunch or an ice cream (Flotsam & Jetsam/Morelli's) then walk back.
Family friendly beaches, brilliant independent cinema, some great new cafes and restaurants. Don't miss Morelli's for ice-cream and Wyatt & Sons or Flotsam & Jetsam for food.
173 locals recommend
Broadstairs
Family friendly beaches, brilliant independent cinema, some great new cafes and restaurants. Don't miss Morelli's for ice-cream and Wyatt & Sons or Flotsam & Jetsam for food.
Sandwich
Beautifully preserved medieval town with lovely marsh walks.
Home to the art Trienniale, regenerated harbour arm and lovely scenery along the Leas.
62 locals recommend
Folkestone
Home to the art Trienniale, regenerated harbour arm and lovely scenery along the Leas.
Sightseeing
Deal Castle
Marine RoadManaged by English Heritage, a short walk from the house.
Managed by English Heritage, a longer walk from the house along the seafront. Beautiful gardens.
101 locals recommend
Walmer Castle and Gardens
Kingsdown RoadManaged by English Heritage, a longer walk from the house along the seafront. Beautiful gardens.
Open air paddling pool for under 10's, with grassed area, games and cafe.
11 locals recommend
Walmer Paddling Pool
Marine RoadOpen air paddling pool for under 10's, with grassed area, games and cafe.
About 15 minutes walk north along the seafront, this sweet little garden is the perfect place to sit with a coffee (Hog & Bean coffee cart is there 7 days a week!) admiring the planting and the seaview. I usually keep walking along the golf course for another 15 minutes to let my dog run off the lead, the perfect hour walk in total.
Sandown Castle Community Garden
Sandown RoadAbout 15 minutes walk north along the seafront, this sweet little garden is the perfect place to sit with a coffee (Hog & Bean coffee cart is there 7 days a week!) admiring the planting and the seaview. I usually keep walking along the golf course for another 15 minutes to let my dog run off the lead, the perfect hour walk in total.
Food & Drink scene
Local ice-cream maker based in the countryside outside Deal, walkable from Walmer train station and offering tractor rides for the kids.
7 locals recommend
Solley's Ice Cream Parlour
Church LaneLocal ice-cream maker based in the countryside outside Deal, walkable from Walmer train station and offering tractor rides for the kids.
My absolute favourite pub in Deal, and the closest! Lovely cosy interior, friendly clientele, perfect for reading the papers by the fire. Dog friendly.
25 locals recommend
The Ship Inn
141 Middle StMy absolute favourite pub in Deal, and the closest! Lovely cosy interior, friendly clientele, perfect for reading the papers by the fire. Dog friendly.
Record shop with cafe/bar, great for a rummage while sipping on craft beers and natural wines.
10 locals recommend
Smugglers Record Shop
9 King StRecord shop with cafe/bar, great for a rummage while sipping on craft beers and natural wines.
Frog And Scot
86 High StFantastic takeaway coffee, sandwiches, and heat at home meals.
Incredible pastries made on site, I am obsessed with their Bostock and Cruffins. Also really good coffee and healthy lunches.
25 locals recommend
Pop Up Cafe
16-18 High StIncredible pastries made on site, I am obsessed with their Bostock and Cruffins. Also really good coffee and healthy lunches.
Best fish & chippy in town, and the closest! The owner is very particular about the potatoes for his hand cut chips.
23 locals recommend
Middle Street Fish Bar
78 Middle StBest fish & chippy in town, and the closest! The owner is very particular about the potatoes for his hand cut chips.
Milaad Tandoori
56 Middle StGood value local Indian restaurant.
Cosy winebar run by the same people as Frog & Scot. Nice to sit on the bench outside people watching, or to takeaway something to drink at home.
17 locals recommend
Le Pinardier
102 High StCosy winebar run by the same people as Frog & Scot. Nice to sit on the bench outside people watching, or to takeaway something to drink at home.
Traditional boozer with cosy interior and huge shared terrace overlooking the sea.
22 locals recommend
Kings Head
9 Beach StTraditional boozer with cosy interior and huge shared terrace overlooking the sea.
Half an hour's walk along the seafront, you can lounge in their deckchairs on the beach drinking great iced coffee, eating cakes and sausage rolls.
14 locals recommend
Hut 55
Marine RoadHalf an hour's walk along the seafront, you can lounge in their deckchairs on the beach drinking great iced coffee, eating cakes and sausage rolls.
Unassuming, authentic Italian cafe, and open for dinner til 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Delicious pizza and pasta, fantastic value, friendly staff.
The Sicilian
2 Stanhope RdUnassuming, authentic Italian cafe, and open for dinner til 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Delicious pizza and pasta, fantastic value, friendly staff.
Healthy and/or decadent brunches and lunches, from Poke Bowls to Burgers. Good for kids. They also do cocktails and have a bakery nearby where they make their own cakes.
26 locals recommend
The Lane
15 South StHealthy and/or decadent brunches and lunches, from Poke Bowls to Burgers. Good for kids. They also do cocktails and have a bakery nearby where they make their own cakes.
Located at the end of the pier, the DPK offers good breakfast, brunch and lunch, as well as Steak & Lobster at the weekends. No bookings taken, so prepare to queue. They also have DPK Shack outside which offers takeaway coffee and snacks for you to enjoy the view with.
44 locals recommend
Deal Pier Kitchen
Beach StreetLocated at the end of the pier, the DPK offers good breakfast, brunch and lunch, as well as Steak & Lobster at the weekends. No bookings taken, so prepare to queue. They also have DPK Shack outside which offers takeaway coffee and snacks for you to enjoy the view with.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
The Rose
Stylish pub/restaurant with food overseen by respected chef Nuno Mendes.
Great wines and cocktails, dog and family friendly.
Book before you go
Deal Pier Kitchen
Popular cafe/restaurant at the end of the pier. Great for brunch and their weekend Steak & Lobster nights are very popular. Incredible views!
Book before you go
The Lane
Cafe/restaurant just off the high street, great for healthy options as well as more hearty fare. They have a bakery nearby where they make huge extravagant cakes, so good for cake and coffee too.
Book before you go
The Zetland Arms, Kingsdown
Popular beachfront pub approx 50 minutes walk along the seafront at Kingsdown. Lovely outside seating area and cosy inside, good for pub grub and sunday lunch.
Book before you go
The Lantern Inn, Martin Mill
Recently refurbished very old pub, with lovely garden. Burgers, pizzas and sunday lunch.
Book before you go
Deal Hoy
Dog friendly pub 5 minutes walk away, serving good pizzas, inside or in the big beer garden.
Book before you go
Margherita's
Italian restaurant at the end of Middle Street, great pizzas and desserts, friendly staff.
Book before you go
Aspendo's
Popular Turkish, excellent value for money.
Book before you go
Frog & Scot
Wonderful restaurant run by a Franco/Scottish couple, beautiful food and service for a special occasion.
Don't miss
The Saturday market
You can see it from the front door, between 8am-3pm. Selling flowers, eggs, Bygga Bo Swedish Buns, Eat & Mess cakes, Kingsdown Breads, Authentique wine, Italian Deal Deli, The Chai Stand, and much more. I've picked up some great antiques and bric a brac here.
Getting around
Trains run between Deal and most of the coastal towns.
The station is a 10 minute walk away.
Traveling with kids
Supermarkets
There is a well stocked Sainsburys (open til 10pm 6 days a week) and an Aldi.
Sainsburys have a pharmacy counter and a click & collect Argos.
Getting around
Food shopping
The High Street is great for independent food shops.
Al's Bakery, Jenkinson Fish, The Black Pig butcher, Rooks butchers/deli, Filbert's British deli, No Name french deli, Prentice or Bartlett's for fruit & veg.
Sainsburys and Aldi very good too.