It’s home to a rich history, charming atmosphere and a surprising number of highly-rated restaurants, cafés and pubs
Deal Castle is an iconic sight in the town(Image: Getty)
We’re incredibly fortunate to have a wealth of wonderful seaside towns scattered across the county. And whilst they tend to draw bigger crowds during the warmer summer months, many coastal destinations are equally delightful to visit in winter.
The shorter, chillier days are perfect for snug evenings at the local pub or lazy afternoons curled up with a book in a quiet café. Tucked away on the rugged Kent coastline, Deal could be just the spot for a weekend escape this winter.
Beyond its breathtaking coastal scenery, the town is steeped in fascinating history and exudes a delightful charm. Numerous visitors have also remarked on the impressive array of excellent pubs, eateries and coffee houses that Deal has to offer.
The town sits roughly an hour-and-a-half from London. Unlike many other seaside destinations across the UK, Deal enjoys a more tranquil and relaxed ambience.
Deal Castle stands as one of the town’s most prominent landmarks. The Tudor fortress, constructed by King Henry VIII in 1539, welcomes the public and makes for an excellent family outing.
Another well-loved spot in the town is Timeball Tower. Guests can ascend to the summit of this maritime monument and capture photographs of the spectacular coastline.
Deal has a pebbled beach, which proves popular with walkers who relish breathing in the crisp sea air. There’s also a pier which was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1957.
Yet, according to reviews on TripAdvisor, Deal’s real charm lies in its variety of cafés, restaurants and pubs. Many visitors have reported being “surprised” after experiencing the town, reports the Express.
For seafood lovers, The Rose and Victuals & Co comes highly recommended. The eatery serves up an array of fish-based meals prepared with locally sourced produce.
The King’s Head provides guests with a more classic pub atmosphere. This 250-year-old establishment boasts a welcoming ambience and enjoys an enviable position overlooking the coastline.
The King’s Coffee Shop, meanwhile, holds the title of the town’s top-rated café. Beyond the standard offerings of coffee, teas and English breakfast, the café also serves Italian fare including paninis, pasta and antipasti.
One TripAdvisor reviewer commented: “Deal is a lovely town. The Middle Street area is really interesting. Lots of smugglers’ cottages and narrow streets.
“The shops in the area are wonderful, with a great Saturday market. Lots of great restaurants and coffee shops. Just a simple great spot.”
Another visitor remarked: “We stayed here three days and were pleasantly surprised with all that Deal has to offer, great selection of restaurants and classic old pubs, some very smart shops, pleasant to walk the high street, stroll the beachside and take in the atmosphere of the old town.”
A third reviewer noted: “Deal has a surprising number of independent shops and restaurants tea rooms and coffee shops which make it a pleasure to visit. I don’t normally bother with town shops due to the decline in small towns.
“However, this town seems to have survived through this and has a good quantity and variety of small independent traders in quality goods.”
