KENTSTAYCATION
The best place to view the seafront , however , is Deal Pier . Perhaps Deal ’ s most photographed spot , many walk along this lengthy structure balanced out above the ocean to look back at the town behind them and marvel at the charming line of hotpotch historic houses that stretch the length of the town overlooking the sea . At the end of the pier , you will find Deal Pier Kitchen ; take out a cappuccino or cold drink from their takeaway bar and admire clear ocean views , or book a table inside to enjoy their famous steak and lobster on Friday and Saturday evenings and their brilliant bottomless brunches at weekends . Back on the beach , festooned with fishing boats , enjoy an atmosphere alive with traditional seaside activities such as crabbing , sunbathing , ice creams from Deal Beach Parlour and fish and chips from Middle Street Fish Bar . For those wanting a cold glass of Kentish ale or locally brewed beer , visit the famous Kings Head pub on the seafront , adorned with hanging baskets and bunting , with a large seating area between the beach and the pub itself . With lots of live music acts and a party atmosphere , this is the ultimate summer spot under the sun in Deal .
For those looking to intersperse their trip to Deal with local knowledge and appreciation for the town ’ s heritage , visit the Deal Museum on St George ’ s Road . Situated in stables once used to house army mules , here you will now find a large collection of models , murals and other memorabilia relating to the maritime history of the town . History buffs should also look out for the Timeball Tower near the landward end of the pier . Built in 1795 to give time signals to ships , this four-storey tower had a curious device whereby a black copper ball was dropped
down its shaft to mark 1pm every day and let sailors know the time . Close to the Timeball is yet another of Deal ’ s most iconic historical buildings : Deal Castle . With its distinctive lilypad shape ( curved walls for better defence from objects such as arrows and cannon balls ), this artillery fort was built by King Henry VIII in the early 1540s . The castle was actually designed to resemble a Tudor Rose and was the largest in a chain of five coastal defences built along the southeast coast in case of French invasion . The ruins of another of these , Sandown Castle , can be seen at the northern end of the town and a permanent exhibition inside Deal Castle describes their defensive role throughout history .
DEAL PIER KITCHEN
DEAL CASTLE
© Reece Mullaney
DEAL PIER
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