Half-way between Dover and Ramsgate, and just over an hour from London by train, the seaside town of Deal has managed to stay relatively under the radar thanks to some of the bigger names that share this stretch of Kent’s coastline.
We visited at the end of March on a press trip with the kids and found plenty of family-friendly activities on offer even before the summer season had officially kicked off. You can read my pick of eight things to do with kids in Deal over on the Mini Travellers blog.
There’s also lots here to tempt grown-ups looking for a child-free break, from romantic restaurants to scenic vineyard tours. So if you’re coming to Kent sans children, have older kids and teens in tow, or you’ve already ticked off all the usual family-friendly things to do and want some more grown-up options, here are eight quick-fire ideas for a weekend trip to Deal.
8 ideas for a weekend in Deal
1. Rummage for bargains at Deal’s Saturday market, which has stalls selling everything from bric a brac to fruit and veg. Our favourites were the vintage clothing stall and Scandinavian bakery Bygga Bo. Baker Malin upped sticks from East London and her cinnamon buns are something else.
2. Go for brunch at Deal Pier Kitchen, a glass-sided restaurant above the water at the top end of Deal’s 1950s concrete pier. There are steak and lobster nights on Friday and Saturday evenings, too, but you’ll need to pre-book – they’re popular.
3. Browse the art galleries and independent shops on and around the High Street. For art, try Taylor-Jones & Son, and for trinkets we loved 123 High Street. There are some lovely coffee shops dotted around, too, so you can re-fuel between stop-offs.
4. Sip a pint at Smuggler’s Record Shop, where you can pick up new and second-hand vinyl and craft beer. It’s on King Street, just off Deal’s High Street, and there are DJ nights and live music sessions, too.
5. Take a walk down the coast through Walmer for fish and chips at the Zetland Arms. This pub on Kingsdown Beach serves local seafood with uninterrupted sea views. Come at sunset and you’ll see why it’s so popular.
6. Pay a visit to Barnsole Vineyard, which is one of the oldest in Kent. Drop in for a free tasting of the estate’s Kentish wines or pre-book a one-hour tour with the winemaker. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of English sparkling or still wine to take home.
7. Have a slap-up dinner at Updown Farmhouse, an absolutely beautiful indoor-outdoor restaurant in the grounds of a restored 17th-century farmhouse just outside Deal. If you’re going all-out, book a room here, so you can tiptoe straight from your table to your bed.
8. Stay at Rogue’s Cottage, a picture-perfect Georgian terrace that’s a stone’s throw from the seafront in Deal. Expect impeccable interiors, a fully stocked kitchen and a huge inglenook fireplace at this holiday home, which sleeps four.
Disclaimer: Our trip to Deal was organised and paid for by Visit Kent in return for a review on Mini Travellers (please do go over and read it if you’re looking for more ideas!). This post is a Brucie bonus because there was just too much to fit into one post.
Leave a Reply