insideKENT Magazine Issue 49 - April 2016 | Page 103

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

Deal cont.
things to do
Deal Castle
Part of English Heritage, Deal Castle is a beautiful
building right in the middle of town – it’s
surprisingly close to the day-to-day goings on
around it, but no less interesting or lovely for all
that. Built by the order of King Henry VIII it is one
of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England,
and among the earliest and most elaborate of a
chain of coastal forts. Today you can explore the
whole of the castle, from the storerooms to the
first-floor captain’s residence.
Deal Pier
There has been a pier at Deal since 1838,
although thanks to storm damage, sandworm,
and general decay, there have been three in total,
each one built a little better than the last. Visit
the current – and longest lasting – Deal Pier to
see the John Buck sculpture, ‘Embracing The
Sea’, and for a meal and drink in the café. The
pier is also excellent for fishing, and since 2008
has been recognised as an international angling
venue, and won Pier of the Year in 2008.
The Deal Maritime & Local History Museum
The Deal Maritime & Local History Museum is
housed on one of the last industrial sites left in
Deal, and it shows exactly how properties and
land developed over the years. In the past, the
site was housing, a series of workshops, and the
place where Willard Sawyer used to store his

velocipedes – which were the original bicycle!
With so much history in the area, and even in the
building itself, the museum is a must-see when
in Deal.
Betteshanger Country Park
This beautiful spot is open to all, and has myriad
activities to get involved in, as well as being a
peaceful place to take a picnic and enjoy a family
walk. With a two-mile tarmac cycle track, leisure
paths for cycling and walking, established
woodlands, wetlands and reed beds full of wildlife,
bike hire, orienteering, archery, fossiling,
geocaching, and den building, one day just isn’t
enough to experience everything Betteshanger
Country Park has to offer.
Deal Timeball Tower Museum
Located directly on the seafront, this striking
building is unmissable. The museum features
information on the history of Deal, and the displays
are especially informative about the semaphore
signals that were sent across the coast; the tower
itself used to be a semaphore tower.
Walmer Castle
Another English Heritage site, located not far
from Deal centre, Walmer Castle is a charming
Tudor castle by the sea. As well as the castle (in
which you can see the very first pair of Wellington
boots), there are eight magnificent acres of
grounds to explore.

Deal Castle © Visit Kent, www.visitkent.co.uk

dining out
Victuals & Co
The food at Victuals & Co is a combination of
flavours, cuisines, and ingredients that go to
make some of the most interesting and
flavoursome dishes you can find. The team
creates both classic and eclectic dishes, taking
inspiration from global food cultures and the best
culinary traditions. Food includes pan-seared
scallops with carrot achar, cauliflower rice, and
black sesame seed; Kentish roe deer ballotined
and pankoed braised shoulder with dauphinoise
potatoes, red cabbage, kale, and celeriac; and
new season rhubarb and ginger flapjack with
white chocolate and a ginger shard.
81 Beach Street
A cross between a restaurant and a bistro, 81
Beach Street offers an unforgettable eating
experience. The menu includes scrumptious
dishes such as grilled halloumi, spiced cashew
nut and spring onion salad; shredded pork and
chorizo risotto; herb crusted halibut with gratin
potatoes, creamed leeks and a caper dressing;
and home-smoked pheasant breast with celeriac
remoulade and a hazelnut dressing.
The Lane
The Lane caters for a diverse crowd but also for
a variety of needs. Whether you fancy something
to eat, freshly ground coffee, a dinner date or
one of their outrageously good cakes and

"Embracing the Sea"

Deal Timeball Tower Museum
© Harold Wyld

103