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Whats On In and Around Deal

Deal was first mentioned as a village 930 years ago in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was called Addelam. It was referred to as Dela in 1158 and Dale in 1275. The name is the Old English Dael meaning ‘valley’ and it was developed into a port by the end of the 13th century. Henry VIII built three castles around the town (Sandown, Deal and Walmer) to protect against foreign naval attack and in 1861 a Royal Marines Depot was established in the town. Deal is twinned with both Saint Omer in France and Vlissingen in the Netherlands. St Winifreds Residential Care Home has subsequently built strong relationships with a school in Saint Omer and has welcomed its students for work experience at the Home several times.

Click here to view the St Winifreds Residential Care Home page.


Walmer Castle and Gardens

Walmer Castle in Deal is an artillery fort originally constructed by Henry VIII between 1539 and 1540. It formed part of the King’s Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire. Comprising a keep and four circular bastions, the moated stone castle covered 0.61 acres and had 39 firing positions on the upper levels for artillery. Today, there is lots on offer to enthral and entertain the whole family, including stunning gardens.

Click here to visit the English Heritage website for more information​.


Deal Pier

Deal Pier is the last remaining fully intact leisure pier in Kent and is a Grade II listed building. Its structure was extensively refurbished and repaired in 1997, with work including the replacement of much of the concrete cladding on the pier’s main piles. The pier is a popular sport fishing venue with its fishing decks, and has a café, bar and lounge at the end.

Click here to visit the Deal Pier website for more information​.


Deal Castle

Deal Castle is a 16th century Tudor artillery castle constructed between Walmer Castle and the now lost Sandown Castle – all looked after by English Heritage. According to various sources, Anne of Cleves stayed at Deal Castle following her a voyage from Europe. Today, you can explore the whole of the castle, from the storerooms to the first-floor captain’s residence. Take a walk around the defences and admire the squat, rounded bastions and canons.

Click here to visit the English Heritage website for more information​.


Deal Beach

Deal Beach is a long pebble beach adorned with the pier which dates back to the 1950s. It makes a very interesting place to take a stroll, where you can watch fishing boats being pulled up on to the beach. Close by to the historic town of Deal, all amenities are a stone’s throw away.

Click here to visit the Beach Guide website for more information​.


Sandown Castle and Gardens

Sandown Castle completes the set of artillery forts (along with Walmer Castle and Deal Castle) built along the coast between 1539 and 1540 by Henry VIII. Sadly, by the 19th century the castle was suffering badly from the effects of coastal erosion and almost all the castle was demolished by the War Office. Nowadays, a voluntary community group take great care to plant flowers and bulbs around the walls.

Click here to visit the Castle Forts Battles website for more information​.


The Astor Theatre

The Astor Theatre is a community theatre in Deal that has become a unique multi purpose arts centre offering an electric mix of music, theatre, literary events, art exhibitions, films and a range of classes and clubs for all ages and tastes. The theatre has a fully licenses Café Bar and two studios available for private functions and corporate events.

Click here to visit The Astor Theatre website for more information​.


Deal Maritime Local History Museum

The Deal Maritime Local History Museum is situated in the heart of Deal, steeped in history. Built in 1803 on one of the last industrial sites left in Deal, showing the way in which commercial and domestic property developed next to one another from the seventeenth century onwards in what was known as the ‘New’ Town of Lower Deal. The museum has a series of very interesting exhibits with admission from as little as £2.

Click here to visit the Deal Maritime & Local History Museum website for more information​.


Kingsdown Beach

Kingsdown Beach is a pebbly beach offering fantastic views out to sea, the white cliffs and busy fishing boats. It is a calm location ideal for a nice walk or a spot of fishing. With the Zetland Arms close by, it’s an ideal place to enjoy the great outdoors for a couple of hours before tucking into a nice meal at the pub.

Click here to visit the Kingsdown Beach page on the Trip Advisor website for more information​.


Betteshanger Country Park

Betteshanger Country Park provides many activities including walking, cycling, fossil hunting, orienteering and geocaching. Families will enjoy the play area, which is close to the visitor centre and car park. The park covers 200 acres and is a safe off-road site for outdoor leisure activities. There’s a wide range of bikes and cycle helmets available for hire – an ideal day out for the family.

Click here to visit the Betteshanger Country Park website for more information​.


Timeball Tower Museum

Deal Timeball is a Victorian maritime Greenwich Mean Time signal located on the roof of a waterfront four-storey tower in Deal. Before it became a time ball tower, the tower was a semaphore tower used to signal to ships at anchor in the Downs or passing in the English Channel. The museum features exhibits about the history of the tower and its use for navigation aid, fight against smuggling, signaling, and the mechanics of the time ball.

Click here to visit the Deal Timeball Tower website for more information​.


St Georges Church

St Georges Church in Deal is made of of missional communities who meet in various places in and around the town. They run lots of courses and events to help they members grow in their faith and provide valuable input into their lives as being part of the church community.

Click here to visit the St Georges Deal website for more information​.


St Leonards Church

St Leonards Church is in the parish of Deal on the outskirts of the town. Parts of the church date back as far as 1100 and today it provides a welcoming meeting place for the entire family, running various courses for those who wish to take part.

Click here to visit the St Leonards Upper Deal website for more information​.