Earlier this month, we spent a week near Deal in Kent. The days were filled with sea swimming, delicious food and afternoon reading that often ended in a nap. Just magic for my mental health.
But you don’t need a week to visit, here’s how to spend 24 hours in and around Deal.
Breakfast at The Rose, Deal
91 High St, Deal
We’ve been visiting The Rose since 2019 and it is yet to disappoint. The rooms are colourful and comfy, there are teacakes on tap and delicious non-alcoholic cocktails. This trip we squeezed in a breakfast visit which was just the ticket.
Coffee and Tiramisu from Arno & Co
94 High St, Deal
The friendliest of grocers, Arno & Co sells restaurant quality snacks from Deal High Street which are good for enjoying on the beach or taking home. It is also impossible to leave without a bottle of hot sauce, a can of olives and a huge tin of salty patatas fritas.
Snoop in The Deal Bookshop and The Oxfam Bookshop
52 High St and 5 High St, Deal
Looking for your next read? Don’t worry, Deal Bookshop has all the latest titles and Oxfam and other charity shops have shelves bursting for your selection. Mum couldn’t wait for coffee and cracked open her purchases as she strolled down the high street.
Independent shopping
High St, Deal
There are great shops scattered throughout the high street and side streets of Deal with everything from vintage finds to beautiful contemporary pieces by local makers. Will and Yates, Mileage and Barkened and are a few of my favourites. I couldn’t leave this little bird dish behind.
Stroll to the end of the pier
Pier, Beach St, Deal
Take a short walk along the pier, you’ll always pass fisherman and there are great views looking out to sea, back to Deal, north towards Sandwich and south towards Dover.
Lunch at Updown
Updown Rd, Betteshanger
Just outside Deal, Updown is a beautiful 17th century farmhouse with five rooms and a conservatory restaurant open to the public on select days. We visited for Friday lunch and gorged on chicken liver crostini, sea bass crudo, red mullet and roasted aubergine. It has a beautiful relaxed atmosphere and delicious crodino and tonics. I’m really hoping to come back and stay soon.
Gardens at Walmer Castle
Kingsdown Rd, Walmer
Walmer Castle has over eight acres of award-winning gardens including kitchen and flower gardens, impressive hedging and a garden dedicated to the Queen Mother. You can also get your fix of maritime history in the castle and visit the Duke of Wellington's bedroom, who lived and died in the Castle.
Sea Swimming
Kingsdown
On this part of the coast the sea gets deep very quickly which means it’s easy to plunge into chilly waters without as much squealing and dithering. We swam everyday in matching crocs (cute) to protect against pebbles.
Pint of Prawns at The Zetland
Wellington Parade, Kingsdown
Just outside The Zetland, facing the sea where there is a break in the railings, is a bench dedicated to my great grandfather, Arthur Kemp. This is our favourite spot for an early evening drink and a pint of prawns.
Have you been to Deal? Let me know if there are other spots you’d recommend in the comments.