As the weather hits up to 30C, Brits are heading to their favourite seaside towns to sunbathe near the cool crystal waters, but don’t rush to the most popular destinations like Brighton and Margate; there are plenty of unpopular coastal getaways that are bursting with life. Ranking the best seaside towns, Time Out revealed a lesser-known destination that is overshadowed by its more famous neighbours.
Tucked away from the crowds is Deal in Kent. With its blend of cosy charm, stunning coastal views, and a surprisingly vibrant food scene, it’s the perfect spot for a weekend escape. Time Out boasted that Deal is a “Proper seaside town with a creative community and really great food.
The travel expert continued: “It’s smaller and less well known than its ever-popular Kentish neighbours Margate and Whitstable, but overlooking little Deal would be a mistake. Stretching along the seafront and an enormous pebble beach, Deal is a gem.”
Deal is described as “quaint, quirky, and one of the most charming coastal towns in Kent.” Deal is steeped in history and boasts a range of maritime exhibits at the Deal Museum and the Timeball Tower Museum, as well as ancient castles.
Visitors can walk along Deal’s historic pier and enjoy a view that has remained virtually unchanged for over a hundred years. The town also has a rich past, with its narrow streets and alleyways, once notorious for 18th-century smuggling, reported by Visit South East England.
However, it is not a golden sandy beach but has a long stretch of pebbles against the clear blue sea. The beach currently boasts an average rating of 4.2 bubbles on TripAdvisor.
Reflecting on their visit to the beach, one person shared: “Lovely clean beach…..of shingle, not sand. Ideal for swimmers and families. Seafront is clean and accessible, being very flat and with a smooth surface.
“Ideal for all, from runners, cyclists, dog walkers, those in wheelchairs and disabled. There are plenty of places to stop with benches along the seafront. Nice looking pier that is flat and easy to walk on with buggies and wheelchairs. Again, with plenty of seating.
Another person commented: “Well, I live in Deal, 500 yards from the beach, so I can’t say anything bad about it. The beach is huge and stretches for several miles between Kingsdown and Sandwich. At the height of summer, the beach is never crowded.
“Be aware that the beach is very stony and is quite steep down to the water. The water current is fairly strong when the tide is running, and you can very quickly get out of your depth.”
Time Out also highlighted Deal’s eateries and said: “It’s dotted with delicious places to eat, buzzy places to drink and gorgeous places to look at or buy beautiful things. Try 81 Beach Street, wine bar Le Pinardier and Smugglers Records for starters.”
81 Beach Street is the number one eatery on TripAdvisor in Deal. For over 20 years, the restaurant has been nestled on the seafront. According to its website, the restaurant is passionate about sourcing the finest local ingredients from small businesses around Deal and Kent.
They added: “Put together by one of the most experienced and talented kitchen teams in the area, there is always a great choice of fresh, creative plates; meals that taste as good as they look!” The menu includes a range of fresh fish dishes as well as steak and burgers.
A food critic at Muddy Stilettos commented: “It’s a real crowd pleaser and would appeal for a lunchtime gathering with family, and equally a fun and foodie-filled destination for a date night.” TripAdvisor also recommends The Sea View and V Gastro & Bar.