Often overlooked in favour of some of our more glamourous coastal resorts, a trip to Deal – with its long pebble beach and relaxed way of life – is like discovering your very own secret seaside retreat.
DEAL has been discovered over recent years by the DFL set (regular visitors ‘down from London’) and as such the little seaside town has had to adapt to provide for the needs of both locals and trendy Londoners.
It’s a hard task but if anywhere can pull it off, it’s unique and quirky Deal.
The town itself feels a million miles from our hectic capital city – and in fact it is technically closer to France than it is to London – but the distance is easily covered with a train journey of less than 90 minutes from St Pancras.
It’s more the change in the pace of life. Deal is a place for long dog walks along the beach, for lazy lunches and for browsing through friendly shops.
Venture beyond the delightfully old-fashioned seafront and the historic conservation area of Middle Street is well worth exploring. It was the first conservation area in Kent to be designated and is a pristine example of the unique character of Deal.
From its importance as a sea port in the 13th century, to its reputation for dangerous smugglers in the 18th; its naval links to its role in the Kent coal industry, this charming town is proud of its rich history.
And modern Deal boasts all the amenities you could hope for, including good schools, a leisure centre and a popular community theatre.
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