CULTURAL HOTSPOTS
DEAL CASTLE A revolutionary coastal artillery castle that has watched over the coast of Deal for nearly 500 years. Built by King Henry VIII in around 1540 to defend against a threatened invasion by European Catholic powers, explore the narrow‘ Rounds’ passage encircling the whole castle before ascending the spiral stairs to the Captains of Deal display, uncovering the Tudor fort’ s storied past.
WALMER CASTLE AND GARDENS Remarkable Tudor fortress turned country house surrounded by over eight acres of award-winning gardens featuring a kitchen garden, wildflower meadows, serene woodland walks and a wonderful
DIVINE DINING
THE BLUE PELICAN Sophisticated yet explorative Japanese-style dining from exceptional head chef Luke Green. With an open kitchen taking centre stage in the uber-stylish dining room set overlooking the shore, The Blue Pelican serves up a host of extraordinary flavours with plentiful fish and veggie options and even a hearty ramen menu available on Thursdays and Sundays.
UPDOWN FARMHOUSE A lovingly converted 17thcentury former farmstead providing excellent accommodation and a revered dining experience. Updown’ s much-loved conservatory restaurant invites diners to settle under the grape vines and watch the chefs in action in the open kitchen. Menus here are small, hyperseasonal and complemented by an exciting wine and drinks list.
81 BEACH STREET Promising a light-filled, seaview dining space and beautifully presented plates that are vibrant, fresh and full of flavour, 81 Beach Street’ s commitment to provenance is present in every one of its dishes, whether you drop in for a light lunch or stay for an atmospheric dinner.
The Blue Pelican( top left) Updown Farmhouse( bottom left)
children’ s play trail. For nearly three centuries, Walmer Castle has been the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, an office granted to some of Britain’ s most famous people including the Duke of Wellington and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
THE ASTOR THEATRE Community-focused multi-purpose arts centre offering an eclectic and exciting mix of music, theatre, literary events, art exhibitions and films, as well as an array of welcoming classes and workshops catering to all ages and abilities.
Outdoor Spots
DEAL BEACH Pretty, gently sloping pebbled beach with an historic pier- home to the much-loved café and restaurant Deal Pier Kitchen- and a scenic promenade that stretches along its length leading to the charming town set beyond. Fish from the pier, soak up the expansive English Channel views and enjoy a brisk walk by the shore.
BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK Fascinating 250-acre park perfect for all sorts of outdoor adventure. Set on the former Betteshanger Colliery site, the park’ s Mining Museum charts the story of mining in the UK with a range of exhibitions and programmes, while the Colliers Way trail allows explorers to uncover Betteshanger’ s rich history. For all ages, there’ s everything from nightlining and orienteering to forest school, target archery and fossil hunting alongside an amphitheatre and meandering walking and cycling trails.
MUST-SHOP STORES
MILEAGE Set within striking Edwardian stables and born from a true love of timeless classics and quality materials bridged with contemporary concepts, this treasure trove of vintage homewares is filled with an ever-changing collection of unique finds that nod to nostalgia.
MRS LANG Specialising in sustainable, atelier recreated pieces, the incredibly talented Mrs Lang is widely known for her upcycled, reloved and unique clothing that is all made by hand in her beautiful shop by the sea.
HOXTON STORE Originally the owner of HOXTON BOUTIQUE in Shoreditch, Alison Whalley swapped fashion for gorgeous homewares and opened Deal’ s much-loved HOXTON STORE in 2014. Today, the shop showcases a thoughtfully curated collection of brands, as well as its own label soft furnishings collection.
DEAL BEACH
DEAL CASTLE © English Heritage
ROYAL CINQUE PORTS GOLF CLUB Renowned members’ club with a highly-regarded 18-hole championship course, set right on the breathtaking coast of Deal and thus known as one of the finest examples of a links golf course. Royal Cinque Ports also boasts a remarkable clubhouse which dates back to the 1890s and spectacular on-site dining.
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