insideKENT Magazine Issue 79 - October 2018 | Page 85

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on
DEAL
DEAL IS A BEAUTIFUL COASTAL TOWN AND ITS HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE IS
SOMETHING THAT MAKES IT A HUGELY FASCINATING PLACE TO VISIT AS WELL.
ITS MILITARY HISTORY IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING, AND IS PERHAPS WHAT
THE TOWN IS BEST KNOWN FOR, BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE BESIDES. EXPLORING
DEAL WILL ALWAYS TURN UP SOME SURPRISES, SO WHY NOT HEAD THERE FOR
THE DAY TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND?
Deal Castle
Ther Promenade, Deal, 1912
HISTORY IN BRIEF THINGS TO DO
In the Domesday Book, Deal is referred to in
1086 as Addelam, which becomes Dela in 1158
and Dale in 1275. The name has an Old English
root meaning ‘valley’, as in the modern term
for ‘dale’ today. By the end of the 13th century,
Deal as it would come to be known, was a
thriving, busy port town even though there is
no harbour. It was thanks to the Goodwin
Sands that the town was able to become so
important to industry, shipping, and the
military; the Downs – the area of water
between Deal and Goodwin Sands – was
and is a perfectly natural shelter for ships to
anchor in. Deal Castle
When Henry VIII ordered Deal Castle to be
built, it was something that had never been
seen before, constructed as it was in the shape
of the famous Tudor rose. It was completed
in 1540, and the majority of the castle is still
standing today, ready for explorers and visitors
to enjoy it. You can learn about Tudor
architecture, sea defences and battle plans.
There are labyrinthine tunnels beneath the
castle that you can walk through, plus an audio
guide can be hired to let you in on all the
secrets.
Deal was in such an ideal position that Henry
VIII was worried it would be attacked during
any sea battles, which is why he constructed
Deal Castle. As an added safety feature, he also
added Walmer and Sandown Castles to his
coastal security measures in an effort to ensure
that Deal was protected.
Deal Maritime and Local History Museum
This little museum is packed full of local history
and fascinating facts about Deal, its past, and
the maritime life that made it what it is. Each
exhibit has a vast amount of information about
it, giving visitors the full story of Deal. There
are often talks, exhibitions and social events
that take place here.
Deal Timeball Tower Museum © Harold Wyld
Deal Beach
Being a coastal town, Deal beach is clearly an
important place to visit, but the bonus is that
it’s simply a lovely place to be, as well as an
integral one. The beach is mostly shingle and
looks just as you might imagine a picturesque,
traditional fishing village would. It makes no
difference what time of the year you visit, it is
just as perfect in the winter as it is during the
summer.
Deal Timeball Tower Museum
Located directly on the seafront, this striking
building is unmissable. The museum features
information on the history of Deal and
the displays are especially informative about
the semaphore signals that were sent across
the coast; the tower itself used to be a
semaphore tower.
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