For families dreaming of a seaside retreat

Kent has no shortage of historic and attractive seaside destinations and Deal is another town with plenty going for it.

On the coast in east Kent, Deal is closer to Calais than it is London. One of the longer journeys to London, with a direct train line to the capital taking 1 hour 23 minutes. If you’re driving, expect the 83-mile journey to take you around 2 hours.

Further south from Deal you’ll find Dover and the channel tunnel taking you to France. Head north along the coast and you’ll come to Sandwich and Ramsgate, both with plenty on offer.

Popular with families and people looking for a seaside retreat, Deal has a variety of different property styles. Large sections of the town centre are under conservation to maintain the historic and charming ambience. Properties closer to the seafront and surrounding the conservation area command higher asking prices than comparable properties elsewhere in the town.

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What to do in Deal

Deal’s stony pebble beach is one of its busiest attractions and makes for a gorgeous walk on a sunny day.

Deal Castle is another spectacular site built in an unusual Tudor rose-shaped formation. It regularly hosts events for families and has even been known to host a ghost tour or two at Halloween. The town has several different museums exploring topics like the area’s history of mining, it’s maritime past, and the history of cinema. There are certainly enough interests and exhibitions to while away a rainy afternoon.

The sea air has inspired many of Deal’s artists, photographers and musicians. Head to any one of the smaller venues in the town to hear live music and take part in the annual Music and Arts Festival which features music, film and dance for 2 weeks over the summer. There are also independent shops that cater to the arts scene too.

Deal is a brilliant place if you love food. With a rich history of fishing, the town has regular fresh markets and you should expect a catch of the day in most restaurants you set foot in. If fish or seafood isn’t to your taste, there are plenty of different international restaurants, cosy cafes or pubs for you to find your favourite dish. Check out TripAdvisor for a full list of recommended places to eat in Deal.