If you’re making a weekend of it, Deal’s an easy place to settle into. It’s a small seaside town with just enough going on, nothing flashy, but full of quiet charm. The seafront is all pebbles and big skies. You can walk from the pier down to Walmer Castle and back — a long stretch of path running right beside the sea, with benches, dogs, and the occasional brave swimmer. Deal Pier itself is a bit of a brutalist icon, unexpectedly photogenic, and good for watching the light change or sharing chips from the shop at the end.
August found us in Kingsdown, camping right on the coast just south of Deal. Mornings began with the hush of the tide, and one day we set out along the shoreline, passing Gothic-period houses that stood like storybook sentinels. Forty-five minutes later, the path led us into the heart of Deal.
The town greeted us under flawless skies. A hot summer’s day, yet unusually calm for the height of the holidays. At the very end of the pier, Pier Kitchen served up a lobster and crayfish roll—fresh, salty, and tasting of the coast itself—followed by chamomile and pistachio cake, fragrant and homemade. At the next table, a couple from Hertfordshire told us about their frequent escapes here, their easy energy mirroring the town’s unhurried pace.
Deal unfolds slowly, with homeware shops and small galleries tucked between narrow streets. We lingered over local paintings and Cornish-made soaps before slipping into The Rose for drinks—a glass of Kentish wine for me, and a strawberry Negroni. Its tiny garden is a hidden pocket of calm, while inside, the interior is rich-toned and quietly elegant. A space that makes you want to stay longer, and perhaps, next time, eat.
The Blue Pelican had been calling my name. I’d read about its fusion of Asian flavours with seasonal British produce, the kind of combination that always wins me over. But after the pier’s indulgence, there was no room left. The restaurant sits right on the seafront, buzzing by evening, and looked near impossible to walk into without a reservation. One for the next trip, without question.
Golden hour brought the perfect close. We skipped stones, stretched out on the pebbled beach, and wandered back along the oceanfront. Just before Walmer, The Zetland Arms lured us in for one last drink. From its terrace, the sea glowed copper under the fading sun—a final reminder of why the Kent coast is worth lingering over.
Deal is the perfectly fun-size for a day-trip. Walk along the coastline, potter around the shops and explore the medieval heritage sites. We visited mid-week but was advised that it’s the weekend where everything comes alive! We look forward to catching this moment with you!
Deal Castle
Walmer Castle and Gardens
The Hoxton Homewares
Arno&Co Grocer
Frog and Scot Bar and Kitchen