insideKENT Magazine Issue 28 - July 2014 | Page 100

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

S P O T L I G H T

O N

Deal

BY SARAH REDMAN

With Deal's motto 'Adjuvate Advenas' translating to 'befriend the stranger', you are sure to be welcome at
this popular seaside town. An admired conservation area, Deal was awarded The Telegraph’s prestigious
High Street of the Year Award in 2013, plus it was named number one in the paper's 10 top spots to lay your
beach towel in 2008. With its unspoilt seafront and Kentish charms, it is not difficult to see why.

Deal Castle. © Visit Kent, www.visitkent.co.uk

Deal Seafront. © Visit Kent, www.visitkent.co.uk

Deal Folk by the Sea. © Visit Kent, www.visitkent.co.uk

history in brief
When Henry VIII came to power in the 15th
century, he built three castles along the DealWalmer coast in order to defend the town from
Spanish and French invasions. Sandown, Deal
and Walmer were subsequently built with curved
walls in order to resist cannon fire, and when
viewed from above, to resemble the Tudor rose.
By the mid-17th century, Deal flourished due to
its sheltered coastline, with hundreds of ships
anchoring up outside of the town in a bid to bring
business to the area. Due to the increasing trade,
in 1699 the Deal Charter was written, signed and
sealed by King William III. This document gave
Deal the status of a ‘Borough' and 'Market Town’.
With sea trades booming, Deal soon became
infamous for smuggling. However, in 1784, Prime
Minister William Pitt sent troops to Deal to tackle
the problem, and while the townspeople had
been forewarned, they attempted to resist
the raid.

In the 19th century, Deal's port declined due to
the invention of steam boats, which meant ships
no longer needed to take shelter along the
coastline. Luckily, during the Victorian period,
Deal became a popular tourist destination in its
own right, and saw a wooden pier built in 1857.

The Astor Theatre – A versatile arts centre, The
Astor Theatre offers a mix of music, theatre,
literary events, art exhibitions and films, plus a
wide range of classes and clubs for all ages,
tastes and abilities.

dining out

things to do
Deal Maritime & Local History Museum –
Housing the full maritime history of Deal, this
museum looks at the town's past trades, locals,
Royal Marines, smugglers and the Goodwin
Sands.
Deal Castle – Built by Henry VIII and now open
to the public, Deal Castle is not only one of the
finest Tudor artillery castles in England, but it is
also among the earliest in a chain of coastal forts.
Walmer Castle and Gardens – Known as the
official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque
Ports, Walmer Castle and Gardens is now open
to the public.

The Royal Hotel – Regally positioned on the
seafront in Deal, The Royal Hotel's Boathouse
Bar and Terrace offers glorious sea views and a
range of tempting dishes created using only the
finest, locally sourced ingredients, including fresh
seafood from the surrounding shores.
The Dining Club – As a modern dining venue,
this restaurant gives you the chance to have your
own private dinner party, whether you're a group
of two or 15. You can also bring your own bottle
(BYOB).
The Burger Brothers – This restaurant specialises
in classic American dining, but using local Kent
produce. It makes almost everything from scratch,
and you can even make your own burger.

The military prevailed, marching down to the
beach where smugglers had pulled their boats
above the high water mark to secure them from
storms. The military set fire to the boats in front
of their owners and the town.

Tides Leisure Centre – A multi-purpose leisure
centre with indoor tennis courts, Tides comes
complete with flumes, a pool, gym, sauna and
steam room, as well as fitness classes, a crèche
and café.

81 Beach Street – Fine food without the fuss,
81 Beach Street is a cross between a restaurant
and a bistro. Go along to enjoy the simple things
in life: great food, good chat, and great people.

Despite the setback, the smuggling continued,
supported by much of the local community. In
fact, today, many of the houses along the seafront
still bare the remains of old tunnels and secret
hiding places used by the smugglers.

Deal Greeters – Inspired by the Big Apple
Greeters of New York, White Cliffs Greeters was
set up by a group of local people in order to help
visitors make the most of their visit.

Allotment Café – Serving anything from freshly
cooked breakfasts and lunches, to daily specials,
hot drinks, pastries and cakes, diners can eat in
or takeaway at the Allotment Café.

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