My Home Town Deal, Kent in the Garden of England

Welcome to my home town hub, the seaside resort of Deal in Kent. Visit UK and you will find Deal right on the southern edge. If you arrive at London you will drive or take a train directly south. By ferry, it is one of the first towns you come to after leaving The White Cliffs Of Dover, 8 miles away. In fact, once in Deal it makes a popular walk along the promenade to where the cliffs join Kingsdown, on the outskirts of the town. An exhilarating walk over the top rewards you with beautiful views of the sea. If you continue all the way to Dover, St Margaret's Bay with it's rock pools and Pine Gardens is a half way point where the Coastguard pub can offer appetizing refreshments. This is famed for being the nearest pub in England to France, which can be seen from it's veranda on a clear day. Today Deal is known for it's two castles, (neither as big as Dover castle, but still worth a visit), it's pier which is a haven for fishermen and it's many fish and chip shops. 8 miles in the opposite direction is the quaint village of Sandwich, with it's sandy bay and home to the British Open Golf Championships. Canterbury Cathedral is another famous attraction, standing amongst many other historic and attractive buildings and is only 18 miles away. Deal is steeped in history, renowned for stories of smugglers and boasting regular visits from Lord Nelson and even the landing of Julius Caesar on it's shores. In more recent times the late Queen Elizabeth, the queen's mother stayed at Walmer Castle each year and had one of it's gardens named after her. The late Norman Wisdom also used to visit his relatives here.

A favourite place for fishing

The present pier was built on the site of two previous piers in 1954. It is 1026 ft long and has gained international recognition as an angling venue. Whether it's a leisurely walk along the pier to the cafe at the end, where a refreshing drink and food awaits you or a day with your fishing rod, Deal Pier is the place to be. Here you can catch dover sole, eels, bass, plaice, dogfish, smoothounds, whiting, mullet, mackerel, cod and bream.

Traditionally many British families treat themselves to fish and chips during a trip to the seaside or as a quick meal on a Friday night at the end of a long week. The fresh fish is filleted and deep fried in batter, served with deep fried, chunky chips made from fresh potatoes.

Deal is only 25 miles away from France, which is visible from the coast on a clear day and is twinned with Saint-Omer in northern France. The port of Dover is only 15 minutes drive from Deal, where you can take a ferry across the channel.