5 years in the past, I moved to this charming seaside city, and it shortly captured my coronary heart.
Millie Bull moved to Deal in Kent 5 years in the past (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
My journey right here has taken me by way of a number of corners of the UK. I spent my childhood in Dorset, surrounded by the Jurassic Coast and plush countryside, and later lived in Winchester—a metropolis as fairly as it’s posh—earlier than heading to the Large Smoke. London supplied pleasure, however in the course of the pandemic, when cafes, eating places, and retailers closed their doorways, and as working from residence turned the norm, I made a decision to relocate to the coast. Initially, I wished to settle in Brighton, however hovering rents and the gritty vibe—beloved by some—quickly put me off. That is once I turned my sights to Kent and located my new residence in Deal.
This 12 months, The Sunday Instances named Deal one of many UK’s finest locations to dwell in 2026, and I wholeheartedly agree. In response to the judges, they targeted on vibrant communities with a robust sense of togetherness, slightly than simply well-known names or excessive home costs. Every location was personally visited and evaluated for its faculties, transport, broadband, and cellular connectivity.
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Deal is stuffed with unbiased retailers and cafes (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
Norwich claimed the highest spot, celebrated by the publication as “a inventive, modern metropolis, with a small-town really feel.”
In contrast to different seaside cities, Deal would not have gaudy curler coasters and tired-looking shopfronts. Whereas coastal cities elsewhere have struggled just lately, Deal is positively thriving.
Beneath, I’ve shared every thing I like in regards to the city and why I feel it is the most effective locations to dwell within the UK:
Deal’s iconic pier—the final remaining leisure pier in Kent—is maybe its most well-known landmark. This concrete-clad Brutalist construction juts over 1,000 ft into the Dover Strait. Opened in 1957 by the Duke of Edinburgh, it options three tiers, fishing decks, and Deal Pier Kitchen, a restaurant the place you possibly can get pleasure from domestically sourced food and drinks with views of France on a transparent day.
I usually take lunchtime strolls alongside the pier, exchanging nods with the fishermen hauling in dogfish and mackerel. Only in the near past, I even noticed a seal surfacing beside the pier.
Seaside Road is lined with a energetic mixture of eating places, accommodations, pubs, and cafés tucked amongst pastel-hued homes. In contrast to the weary chippies and ice cream parlours present in different seaside cities, each spot has earned its place on Deal’s beloved seafront.
For fish and chips, Sea View is my go-to. This unpretentious restaurant and takeaway serves all of the basic chip store fare, however usually options specials like skate wing, rock, crab salad, and squid. The queues on King Road throughout busy summer season days communicate for themselves: the fish and chips listed here are very good.
Simply across the nook from Sea View, reverse the pier, is Deal Seaside Parlour—a Nineteen Sixties spot with giant home windows overlooking the promenade. Alongside tea, espresso, and snacks, they serve an array of ice lotions, sundaes, knickerbocker glories, cookie dough, waffles, and extra.
I usually cease by for an ice cream on a heat day; my favorite is coconut cookie flavour in a waffle cone, however banana, pistachio and Eton Mess are worthy contenders.
Views of the city from Deal Pier (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
The decor inside The Blue Pelican is gorgeous (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
Generally seals might be noticed in Deal, Kent (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
I just lately visited The Blue Pelican for the primary time for his or her ramen and have since returned for his or her night menu. The Japanese-inspired restaurant, which serves small plates and sharing dishes, has develop into a go-to spot for Londoners and is usually packed on weekends.
Early acclaim from meals critic and MasterChef choose Grace Dent in 2024 helped put The Blue Pelican on the map. It now ranks eighty fifth among the many UK’s high 100 eating places for 2026, in accordance with SquareMeal.
Spice lovers should not miss The Port Arms, the place Soul Chef Kitchen gives a vibrant Jamaican menu. The menu—together with jerk rooster, mac ‘n’ cheese, fried plantain, and extra—is ideal for al fresco eating with a sea view.
The Excessive Road
Deal’s unbiased retailers and cafés are the city’s beating coronary heart. Whereas a number of important chains, corresponding to Superdrug, Boots, Costa, and Starbucks, are current on one finish of the road, the bulk are native companies, which I like.
Barkened, on the north finish of the excessive avenue, is a favorite of mine for distinctive items for canine lovers and homeware fanatics.
For eclectic clothes and items, City Stylish is a should—its vibrant womenswear, equipment, and homeware make it my go-to for Christmas buying. There’s all the time one thing right here I will not discover wherever else.
Barkened is a good spot for items (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
The dishes at The Blue Pelican are unbelievable (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
Deal’s Saturday market is all the time busy (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
Down St George’s Passage lies The Little Purple Wardrobe, an actual gem providing pre-loved designer and high-street ladies’s garments, footwear, hats, and equipment. It is my first cease once I want an outfit for an important day or need high quality clothes.
Each Saturday morning, the north finish of the excessive avenue transforms for the weekly market in Union Highway automotive park, operating from 9am to 2pm. The world is closed to automobiles and pedestrianised, letting it buzz with locals and guests shopping for contemporary bread, pastries, flowers, eggs, fruit, and veg.
There is a fantastic array of stalls: contemporary flowers, china, classic garments, books, furnishings, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts, and irresistible truffles. Even if you happen to’re not buying, wandering the market with a espresso from Actual Deal Roasters is an actual deal with.
Simply off the excessive avenue on South Court docket, The Lane is a incredible spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The workers are welcoming and attentive, and the meals—particularly the burgers, breakfast dishes, and sandwiches—attracts crowds. The Lane additionally has a bakery on Queen Road, good for cake, brownies, or cookies with a contemporary cup of espresso. They even supply postal truffles and brownies, so you possibly can get pleasure from them wherever you might be.
On the southern finish of the excessive avenue, Pop Up Café is an unbiased vegetarian café providing speciality espresso, matcha, smoothies, and scrumptious brunch and lunch dishes. Their croissants, pastries, and truffles are made in-house, and their sandwiches and toasties are made with their very own sourdough. The Ache au chocolat, full of three sticks of Valrhona chocolate, is out of this world with a sizzling matcha latte—take my phrase for it.
Lolë Wellness Cafe, which is situated in South Court docket, simply off the excessive avenue, has develop into a favorite of mine. Their do-it-yourself banana bread and porridge are heavenly, they usually supply a incredible vary of more healthy lunch choices, good for these seeking to in the reduction of on the aforementioned pastries and candy treats. I’ve develop into an everyday buyer of late, usually popping in for a fruity iced matcha and a snack.
In the midst of the excessive avenue, Lavender & Blackberry is an award-winning florist with a beautiful greengrocer’s and low store. They serve contemporary salads, breakfast, espresso, teas, smoothies, juices, matcha, and baked items. I like their rose matcha latte with chilly foam and the darkish chocolate sea salt cookie, whereas my husband prefers a contemporary juice and a salad. It has develop into a weekly ritual of late to pop in for a takeaway drink.
The banana bread and matcha at Lolë Wellness Cafe are to die for (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
The Ache au chocolat on the Pop Up Cafe, full of three sticks of Valrhona chocolate, is out of this world (Picture: Millie Bull/REACH PLC)
Hidden simply off the excessive avenue on Broad Road is Little Harriettes of Deal Tea Rooms. I first visited on a whim for heat scones and tea, and the expertise was so beautiful that I’ve returned twice since. It is also very moderately priced—our do-it-yourself soup, bread, two pots of tea, and two giant scones with jam and clotted cream got here to lower than £20.
Inside, you are greeted by conventional Victorian tearoom decor: a small chandelier, classic furnishings, a cake counter, and floral bone china for tea.
Late final 12 months, I additionally found Miretti on the north finish of the excessive street-a cosy spot for espresso and do-it-yourself truffles, candies, and Italian biscuits, run by a pleasant couple. The choice is small, however each merchandise I attempted was chic: a wealthy, nutty darkish chocolate praline truffle and a creamy vanilla custard cake.
Sitting outdoors with my espresso and cake, I may virtually think about I used to be in Italy—if not for the chilly British climate.
The websites
Past its vibrant meals scene, Deal additionally boasts a wealthy historical past. Certainly one of its standout sights is Deal Fort, constructed by Henry VIII to defend England from a possible invasion by European Catholic forces. The fort gives a enjoyable time out for households and historical past fanatics alike.
Inside, interactive displays and vibrant shows convey the fort’s previous to life. An enormous illustrated map of Europe units the scene, serving to guests perceive the political tensions of the period, whereas audio options allow you to overhear the ideas of Henry VIII and his adversaries.
Entrance of Deal Fort, Tudor-era fortress in Deal, England (Picture: Getty)
Queen’s Mom backyard at Walmer Fort & Gardens (Picture: Getty)
You’ll be able to wander by way of the fort’s slim, atmospheric ‘Rounds’ passage, circling the stronghold. Kids will love dealing with a wood musket as they discover. Afterwards, head up the spiral staircase to the ‘Captains of Deal’ exhibit.
When you’ve already taken within the historical past of Deal Fort, Walmer Fort makes for a beautiful subsequent cease, only a mile away. Additionally constructed beneath Henry VIII, Walmer Fort is about inside greater than eight acres of fantastically landscaped, award-winning gardens.
For nearly 300 years, Walmer Fort has served because the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports—a place held by a few of Britain’s most celebrated figures, such because the Duke of Wellington and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mom.
Inside, displays pay particular tribute to the Duke of Wellington, who held the put up for 23 years till his demise in 1852. Among the many highlights are the very armchair during which he died and an unique pair of his iconic ‘Wellington boots’.
One of many principal causes individuals flock to Deal is its seashores. I like all of the seashores within the native space, however Deal Seaside holds a particular place in my coronary heart as a result of it is proper on my doorstep. There are 4 principal seashores round Deal: Deal Seaside, Walmer Seaside, Kingsdown Seaside and Sandwich Bay. They’re all comparatively quiet in comparison with a number of the UK’s extra fashionable pebbly seashores, like Brighton, and are perfect for fishing and strolling.
There are paths operating alongside the seafront subsequent to the seashores that join Cope with Sandwich, Dover, Folkestone and Margate. Though it is value checking the climate and the route earlier than embarking on these walks, as some span 30km.
When you’re a historical past buff, then there are many museums to take a look at in Deal, together with Deal Museum, Kent Museum of the Shifting Picture and the Timeball Tower.
I like the seaside in Deal (Picture: Getty)
The Individuals
I am not from Kent initially, and I did not know a single individual once I moved right here. It was a raffle, however one which has paid off.
Opposite to the stereotype that Southerners are much less welcoming than Northerners, Deal is an exceptionally pleasant city. Most locals are fast to greet you and strike up a dialog, and store or café homeowners recurrently exit of their solution to supply assist or recommendation.
Whereas there are all the time exceptions, I’ve but to fulfill anybody in Deal who wasn’t pleasant or approachable. A lot of this heat stems from a robust sense of group. Individuals genuinely look out for one another, supporting native companies and dealing collectively—particularly in the course of the quieter winter months when seaside cities can wrestle.
Relocating to a brand new place with out figuring out anybody might be daunting, however getting concerned in native actions is likely one of the finest methods to construct connections. Deal gives a incredible vary of teams and lessons—every thing from dance and artwork to e book golf equipment, health periods, yoga, pilates, and extra.
Transport
Those that work in London can attain St Pancras in 90 minutes from Deal by way of the HS1 service. There may be additionally a slower practice to Charing Cross that takes two hours and quarter-hour.
Native bus companies are usually dependable, however some are irregular and have a tendency to complete early within the night.
The Downsides
As a lot as I like dwelling in Deal, affordability is an actual problem. The typical home value right here over the previous 12 months was £340,292, in accordance with Rightmove, and rents sometimes vary from £950 to £1,300 per thirty days.
For native residents incomes native wages, shopping for a house can really feel out of attain. It is easy to see why some individuals resent second householders who depart their properties empty for a lot of the 12 months.
Regardless of this, till I am priced out, I’ll proceed to dwell in Deal for the foreseeable future.
I’ve no regrets about leaving London for all times by the ocean, however I do fear that Deal’s newfound fame may ultimately value out the very individuals who make this city so particular.
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