What to See in Deal
Deal Castle
Deal Castle
Marine Road, off A258 Victoria Road, Deal.
Deal Castle was built by Henry VIII between 1539 and 1540 as one of three fortresses in the area to meet fears of the threat of invasion from Catholic France and Spain. Henry's fears were never realised and it wasn't until 1648, during the English Civil War, that the castle actually came under siege when supporters of the Royalist cause held it for several months against Parliamentary forces. During the Second World War, the castle was brought back into service to guard the coast from German forces in the Channel. There's more on the castle's history on this website here.
For more details of Deal Castle, opening times, admission charges and events, see: English Heritage website.
Deal Pier
Deal Pier
Deal Pier is one of the few remaining piers in the country. Over the years there have been three on the site with the present pier designed by Sir W. Halcrow and Partners and opened on 19 November 1957 by Prince Phillip.
Constructed predominantly from concrete-clad steel, it is 1026ft (311m) in length (a notice states that it is the same length as the RMS Titanic, but that ship was just 882 feet in length) and offers popular facilities for anglers, refreshments and, not least, a fine view of the Deal and Walmer seafronts.
For more details, see these websites: Deal Pier and Dover Council (Deal Pier).
Deal Timeball Museum
Deal Timeball Tower
Located on Deal seafront, the Timeball Tower provides a working example of a once vital means for ships off the Deal coast to accurately set their chronometers. The ball on the roof would drop at exactly 1pm every day. For today's visitors, the timeball drops every hour between 9am and 5pm during the summer months.
Today's building also houses a museum, run by Deal Museum Trust and featuring displays relating to communications, semaphore and signalling.
For opening times and further details, see: dealtimeball.co.uk
Deal Maritime and Local History Museum
Deal Maritime and Local History Museum
01304 372098; website.
22 St George's Road, Deal CT14 6BA
01304 372098; website.The Museum was founded in 1972 and is administered by a charitable trust with the aim of preserving local maritime heritage.
Exhibits include the Saxon King (the last of the Deal Galleys) and many ships models (including the Cutty Sark).
Also on display are colourful figureheads and numerous pictures, prints and memorabilia of the famous Deal Boatmen, the Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown lifeboat crews and of the Royal Marines stationed at Deal for over 300 years.
Walmer Castle
Walmer Castle
Kingsdown Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 7LJ
Built as one of a line of coastal forts by Henry VIII as protection against feared invasion, Walmer Castle is the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The castle features links to many famous men and women - including the Duke of Wellington, retailing magnate W H Smith and the late Queen Mother. Superb gardens, tea and gifts shops and special events throughout the year all help to make the castle a top visitor attraction.
Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green
Memorial Bandstand
Walmer Green, off The Strand, Walmer.
The venue for free band concerts most Sunday afternoons throughout the summer. It was built in 1992 as a memorial to the 11 people killed in the IRA bombing of the town's Royal Marines Barracks on 22 September 1989.
Operation of the Bandstand and organisation of the concerts is by the members of the Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust. For dates of concerts, see the Trust's coming events.
For a history of the Bandstand see the WalmerWeb website.
Saxon Shore Way
Saxon Shoreway
The popular scenic coastal footpath and cycle route includes all of the Deal and Walmer seafronts.
The popular scenic coastal footpath and cycle route includes all of the Deal and Walmer seafronts.
Local Cycling Guides A selection of cycle routes in the Dover, Deal and Sandwich area. Includes: National Cycle Route 1 from Dover to Deal; National Cycle Route 1 from Deal to Sandwich; the Sandwich Way Route 15; the Miners' Cycle Trail and the Skylark Trail. For more information, contact White Cliffs Countryside Project, 01304 241806 or see white cliffs country cycling.
01304 241806 or see white cliffs country cycling.Local Walking Guides For details, click here.
Sandown Castle Garden
Sandown Castle Garden
Award-winning Community Garden created by local volunteers on the site of the former Sandown Castle at Sandown Road, Deal CT14 6QU.
The site was overgrown in January 2015 when the project began.
The site was overgrown in January 2015 when the project began.
Walmer Paddling Pool
Walmer Seafront Paddling Pool
Situated on Walmer Green between the beach and The Strand, Walmer, this popular leisure facility comprises a paddling pool for children of 10 years and under, changing accommodation, toilets and a refreshment kiosk. Free admission.
Normal opening times: 10am to 6pm, mid-May to mid-September. For more details, see: facebook page.
Roman Landings Adventure Golf
Betteshanger Country Park
Betteshanger Country Park
Opened (as Fowlmead Country Park) in May 2007, the 120-hectare Betteshanger Country Park and nature reserve has been created on land formerly part of the Betteshanger Colliery.
It features first-class cycling and horse riding facilities and extensive landscaping with woodland, lakes, open areas and walking trails. It is open every day of the week, 9am-6pm (closes 4.30pm in winter).
Kent Mining Museum
Kent Mining Museum
a day in the life of a Kent miner – both at work and home; the history of coal mining in Kent; the geography of the East Kent coalfield; the importance of coal through the years; and geology – looking at how coal is formed.
The Kent Mining Museum records the
story of the East Kent coalfield spanning almost 100 years, from when
coal was first discovered in 1890, to the closing of Betteshanger
Colliery in 1989.
With the museum exhibition located on two floors, visitors are able to explore:
a day in the life of a Kent miner – both at work and home; the history of coal mining in Kent; the geography of the East Kent coalfield; the importance of coal through the years; and geology – looking at how coal is formed.
Linden Hall Studio, Deal
Linden Hall Studio 01304 360411. website.
32 St George's Road, Deal CT14 6BA.
01304 360411. website.Linden Hall Studio holds regular exhibitions showing the best of contemporary British Art including painting, sculpture, ceramics and glass. Gallery opening hours: Wednesdays to Sundays: 11am–4pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Kent Museum of the Moving Image
Kent Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI)
Kent-MOMI museum features a collection of cinema and pre-cinema artefacts including a large collection of magic lanterns, substantial archives of film memorabilia and a library of over 2,000 books on film and cinematography. It also serves as a centre for research, special events, workshops and screenings.
Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (May to September: 11am-6pm; October to April: 12noon-5pm).
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