Pretty Little London: Trips by Sara Santini

Author:Sara Santini
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Published: 2023-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Deal

A SMUGGLER’S DELIGHT

1h 30m from London St Pancras 12 hours

Deal is one of Kent’s most overlooked gems. It’s smaller and less touristy than nearby Whitstable, not as busy as cooler Margate, and doesn’t have the same historical importance of Canterbury, say. However, it’s probably one of the most charming towns in this part of England.

During the 1700s, Deal was your typical British coastal town – the population spent most of their time building boats, sailing and fishing. These activities helped locals survive, but what really filled their pockets was smuggling. In Deal’s town centre, in the middle of the picturesque, pastel-coloured houses and cobbled winding streets, smugglers used to evade King George’s men and sell goods stolen by boatmen from ships. These clever smugglers also used secret tunnels to hide their goods, many of which are still hidden away today.

Nowadays, smuggling isn’t Deal’s deal anymore, but the fishermen’s cottages and Georgian townhouses remain almost intact, so it feels like you’re stepping back in time as you wander these picture-perfect streets!

On a sunny day, you will also want to take a stroll along the unspoiled pebbly beach, packed with colourful fishing boats, beach huts and waterfront bistros, which serve fresh, locally caught fish and seafood. Deal Pier Kitchen is a local’s favourite, with its beautiful beach views (you are literally surrounded by water), while if you are looking for a little more elevated cuisine you can always head to The Rose, with its beautiful terrace – or Frog and Scot, handily situated opposite.

For history enthusiasts, there is also a beautiful Tudor artillery castle, built by Henry VIII as part of a chain of fortifications to defend the coast from the French (you can even see the French coast, a mere 25 miles away, on a clear day).

Deal is great for shopping. It has some amazing markets, so before heading there for your day trip, make sure to check out what’s on. On the first Saturday of each month, you can load up on locally picked fruit and baked cakes from the Farmers’ Market, while on weekends there is The Village Indoor Market, where you will be able to shop antiques, crafts and vintage fashion items.

MAKE THE STAY LONGER

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