I’m just back from the seaside, where we spent a few days of half term, on a family staycation. (My adventures now revolve around term dates, and I already don’t like it.) We went to Deal in Kent, a fairly small seaside destination, as I’d heard good things about it.
Sure, it’s a bit non-traditional to head to the UK coast in October, and yes, we did experience thunderstorms during our stay… but after the bank-account-draining wedding we threw this summer, it wasn’t entirely financially possible to head to sunnier climes! But I am the number 1 advocate for visiting destinations off-peak anyway. No crowds, explore at your leisure, ideal.
So if you’re thinking of visiting Deal, I’ve thrown together the below guide of what to do there, where to eat and where to stay. Hope you like it!
Where To Stay in Deal
The main driver of us booking a long weekend in Deal, was that I was desperate to stay at The Rose. It’s a gorgeously-decorated boutique hotel with mid-century furniture, roll-top baths and delicious food. And it’s been on my bucket list for ages! So I booked a few days there as a bit of an Autumnal getaway.
I have a full review of The Rose Deal over here if you’re interested in visiting, but honestly it’s such a dreamy stay. A bit on the spenny side (from £150 a night), but it’s a lovely little gem of a place (with complimentary tea and cake every afternoon!).
Where To Eat and Drink in Deal
THE ROSE – The only place we booked ahead of time, was a dinner at our hotel, The Rose. Like I said, I’d heard the food was to die for, and I wanted to make sure I booked an early slot so my 3 year old wasn’t too aggy (a major consideration when you travel with young kids!). And it definitely lived up to expectations. I had the salt-baked celeriac, pickled and grilled wild mushrooms, with coco beans and cavolo nero, which is as fancy as it sounds but oh-so delicious. Josh got the chicken schnitzel and they did kids meals (and colouring packs) so everyone was happy. It’s fancy food for sure, which isn’t normally our style, but it didn’t feel pretentious in the cosy environment of The Rose. Would def recommend a visit. Th Rose also do a wonderful breakfast and a lunch set menu that changes each week, so lots to experience here!
MARGHERITAS – Like most smaller destinations, we struggled finding dinner spots without a reservation (I never learn). So we were at a bit of a loss one night, walking round in the rain trying to find somewhere – with each fully-booked restaurant recommending another one to try. And that’s how we ended up at Margheritas, a cosy little Italian place. It’s unassuming, and based on it being a bit of a last resort, we didn’t expect much. But it was actually SO good. I had a pea and shallot ravioli that was outrageously good, plus some delicious wine and a decent kids meal for my daughter. They’re actually very kid-friendly with highchairs and a dessert bar at the front to pick ice cream flavours, so it’s a great spot for families.
DEAL PIER KITCHEN – Deal Pier hasn’t got much to it compared to other seaside piers. It’s an industrial-looking concrete pier that goes straight out to just one establishment at the end, no thrills. This cafe at the end of the pier is called Deal Pier Kitchen, and we visited one morning based on a recommendation from someone on Insta. The cafe is so popular that you frequently have to queue to get in, but luckily it was only 5-10 mins before we got a table. The breakfast menu looks really good, so I would’ve liked to try it, but we had a lovely time getting hot chocolates and pastries mid-morning. Another reason why visiting the coast in autumn is a good idea – it’s very cosy when you’re inside drinking hot drinks, watching the blustery sea outside.
THE LANE – Down a lane (obviously) off of the High Street, you’ll find a little burger spot, aptly-named The Lane. I had the sliders which were really tasty (and again they did a kids menu), but all I’d say is that it’s a bit pricey for what it is – think £15 for a burger. A nice spot though if you fancy it.
THE KING’S HEAD – A bit of an institution, the seafront pub, The King’s Head, is a typical English pub. Nothing fancy, but it looks cute from the outside and has a little beer garden at the front if you visit in the summer. Worth popping in on your travels.
SMUGGLER’S RECORDS – I saw this place recommended a lot for Deal visitors, and figured I’d take a look, we like records after all. But it’s actually so much more than a record shop. Smuggler’s Records is a very cool little bar for drinking beers and enjoying music. We couldn’t stay, because y’know, the 3 year old, but if we were visiting sans child, we would’ve settled in here for an evening for sure.
LE PINARDIER – Another bar to check out, is Le Pinardier, a wine bar close to The Rose. You can buy wine to drink there or takeaway and they often have events and live music.
THE COURTYARD – This is one of the dinner spots we couldn’t get into without a res (so book ahead to avoid disappointment!). But I wanted to mention The Courtyard anyway as it’s so lovely inside. I can’t comment on the food as I haven’t eaten there but it has wonderful reviews and the bar area is very cosy with a wonderful atmosphere. Definitely check it out if you can.
What To Do in Deal
DEAL CASTLE – A Tudor artillery castle built by Henry VIII, Deal Castle is a nice attraction to wander and read more about the history of this area. This English Heritage site is super easy-to-get-to, just 5 minutes down from the main High Street and seafront, so it’s walkable even for little legs. There’s not a tonne for kids here, but we bought my daughter a foam sword and pretended we were looking for dragons, which made it fun! Worth a look-in, if only for some nice views of the beach.
ART GALLERIES – Deal is known for its galleries. Linden Hall Studio is one of the main ones, showcasing contemporary art, and is worth checking out if that’s your thing. Don’t Walk Walk gallery is another, and one that’s a bit more my vibe. This artist-run gallery is a bit rougher around the edges and looks really cool. They describe themselves as having a “punk rock ethic”, so I’m sold.
BOUTIQUE SHOPS – Something I love about Deal is the little boutique shops, dotted around the seaside town. A couple I can recommend are Tamarisk, a cute boutique with cool accessories (I picked up a cute crossbody bag that I am wearing on repeat at the moment), and Hoxton Store, a home and lifestyle shop with the kind of cute vases and cushions you see all over Instagram. Check them out!
Other Day Trips from Deal
As you can see, Deal is a dreamy little seaside town, ideal for a few days by the sea. But if you’re staying longer, you may want to use it as a base and explore a bit further. So here are a few ideas for days out nearby on the Southeast Coast.
MARGATE – The iconic seaside destination of Margate is 30 minutes by car from Deal and is definitely a must-visit. I visited a few years ago so you can read all my Margate recs over here.
WHITSTABLE – Whitstable is about 45 minutes away by car, so a little further, but it’s a nice spot. It has a cool harbour, lots of seafood to eat and colourful beach huts. I recommend Tankerton Beach where it’s a bit quieter but it still looks very cute.
DOVER – Dover is 20 minutes from Deal if you want to explore medieval Dover Castle or see the infamous white cliffs. There are also secret wartime tunnels and a museum to explore.
SANDWICH – Sandwich is a nice town to wander if you’re in Deal for a bit longer and just want a change os scenery (15 mins away). Just out of town there is also the Richborough Roman Fort, said to be where the Romans first set foot on British soil.
BROADSTAIRS – If you’re after a sand beach, head to to Broadstairs, 30 minutes away. Viking Bay is very quaint and has an old-fashioned seaside vibe. Also check out Dickens House Museum if you’re a literary buff.
We had such a lovely family break in Deal and I totally recommend giving it a visit (even in Autumn/Winter!). Let me know if you use any of these recommendations for your trip, I’d love to know if they’ve been useful! Happy travelling, lads. x