The Lord Nelson Hotel, Deal, Kent

Deal is a lovely coastal town with a fascinating history. Today the town offers a great mix of contemporary style with beautifully preserved historical character.

Deal really does have something for everyone:

Outdoor activities include facilities for swimming, sailing, rowing, fishing, cycling, tennis, coastal and cliff walking, and much, much more.

There are many rural and coastal areas within easy distance for nature lovers, including bird watching at Sandwich Bay, where none other than Bill Oddie is President of the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory.

Deal's history as a naval port includes intriguing and spine-chilling stories of smuggling and wrecking. At very low tides, breakers can be seen in the Channel where the Goodwin Sands provide shelter to shipping in The Downs, but also harbour many wrecks from shipping disasters of old.

Henry VIII had three castles built at Deal, Walmer and Sandown. Deal and Walmer Castles are preserved by English Heritage and make a great day out for all the family.

More recent history includes the coal mining industry, now of course, just a memory. But many former miners and their families continue to live in the town and the Betteshanger colliery site re-opened as a fantastic country park in May 2007.

Deal High Street is a bustling, pedestrianised area with a wealth of independent shops including art galleries and gift shops, and a weekly farmers market.

Deal's artistic community is growing and flourishing and there are many local artists as well as others who have moved to the area and whose work can be seen in exhibitions throughout the year.

In summer the town boasts many popular cultural events including the annual Regatta and carnival at the end of July, the Deal Festival, the Maritime Folk Festival in September, and many other events and activities throughout the year.

There's so much more we could tell you about Deal, but really, you must come and see it for yourself!