Deal has a long shingle beach and two Tudor castles at Deal and Walmer, with Betteshanger Country Park and Sandwich Bay a few miles to the north.
Image: White Cliffs Country (Dover District Council)Deal Beach is a long stretch of pebbles with a promenade and one of only two piers in Kent, a short stroll from the town's independent cafes and shops. Fish from the pier, play crazy golf, paddle or swim, then wander into town. It suits families and couples for a relaxed half day by the sea.
Image: Deal CastleDeal Castle is the most elaborate of Henry VIII's artillery forts, right on the seafront at Deal. Explore the fortress displays, then head into the dark, narrow Rounds passage that circles the base. Displays, audio posts and a graffiti room bring the garrison to life, and children can borrow wooden muskets.
Image: Walmer Castle and GardensWalmer Castle is a Tudor coastal fort near Deal that was later transformed into a residence surrounded by fine gardens. Explore the castle, then the Broad Walk, working kitchen garden, Quarry Garden and contemporary Queen Mother's Garden before tea. It makes a relaxed two to three hours on the coast.
Image: Betteshanger ParkBetteshanger Park is a 250-acre country park on the site of Kent's last working coal mine, just outside Deal. There are cycling and walking trails, a play park and a café, and the Kent Mining Museum and Collier's Way trail tell the story of the coalfield. Dogs are clearly welcome, with dog shows and walks on the events calendar.
Image: Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory TrustSandwich Bay Bird Observatory is a charity-run observatory and field centre recording the wildlife of Sandwich Bay. Drop in to the field centre for the latest sightings, explore the surrounding reserves and join a guided walk or talk. It suits birdwatchers and nature lovers, and there is accommodation for longer stays.
Image: Sandwich Guildhall MuseumSandwich Guildhall Museum, in the town's 16th century Guildhall, tells the story of Sandwich from its early beginnings to today. Its treasures include the town's 1300 copies of Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest, alongside finds back to the Mesolithic. It is free and makes a good hour on a wander round the medieval town.
Photo: pam fray, CC BY-SA 2.0Gazen Salts is a peaceful community-run nature reserve on the edge of Sandwich, bordered on three sides by the River Stour. Around a mile and a half of footpaths wind past lakes, reed beds and a meadow, with roosting birds in winter. It suits a quiet hour's stroll for families and nature lovers.
Image: English HeritageRichborough is where the invading Roman army came ashore in AD 43, and the fort here saw the start, height and end of Roman rule in Britain. Climb the reconstructed timber gateway for views over the site, explore the ruins and museum, and walk out to the amphitheatre earthworks. It suits families and history fans and needs about two hours.
Image: National TrustSouth Foreland Lighthouse is a Victorian lighthouse on the White Cliffs, built to guide ships past the Goodwin Sands and the first to use an electric light. Take a guided tour, enjoy the views over the Strait of Dover and stop at the 1950s-style tearoom. It suits families and walkers, and pairs naturally with a clifftop walk from Dover or St Margaret's.
Image: National TrustFan Bay Deep Shelter is a network of Second World War tunnels dug into the White Cliffs in 1940 and 1941, explored on a hard hat and head torch tour with National Trust guides. The visit also takes in two early sound mirrors and the excavated number 3 gun emplacement. It suits older children, teens and adults keen on history, and takes around 90 minutes plus the clifftop walk.
Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0This 4 mile there-and-back route follows the top of the White Cliffs from the National Trust visitor centre to the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse. Look out for wartime gun emplacements, Channel views to France and a stop at the lighthouse tearoom when it is open. It suits confident walkers and older children and takes two to three hours.
Image: National TrustThe National Trust's stretch of the famous chalk cliffs starts from the visitor centre at Langdon Cliffs, with clifftop paths and big views over the Channel and the port. Walk as far as you like along the coast path, stop at the café, or carry on to South Foreland Lighthouse. It suits walkers, families and dog owners, and a visit easily fills half a day.
Image: Dover Transport MuseumDover Transport Museum is a volunteer-run charity museum near Whitfield with two large halls of vintage vehicles and recreated street scenes of old Dover. Alongside cars, buses and motorcycles there are shop fronts, ferry memorabilia and a large model railway that visitors can operate. It makes an easy family outing of an hour or two.
Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0Pegwell Bay is part of the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, with a country park whose sea wall path looks out over saltmarsh and mudflats. Watch waders and wildfowl in autumn and winter, look for seals from the end of Stonelees and use the play and picnic areas. It suits families, dog walkers and birdwatchers for a couple of hours.
Image: English HeritageSt Augustine's Cross is a 19th-century cross of Saxon design marking the spot where St Augustine is traditionally said to have landed in AD 597. It is a quick, free stop on the way between Thanet and Sandwich. Allow half an hour, or pair it with nearby Richborough Roman Fort.
Image: Dover CastleDover Castle sits high above the White Cliffs, with a medieval Great Tower above ground and a network of secret wartime tunnels below. Climb the tower to discover the court of King Henry II, explore the Under Siege exhibition and let children loose in the siege play area. Give it a full day.
Image: The Astor Community TheatreGeneration Rock, a classic rock tribute act, performs anthems from the 1970s to the present day at The Astor Community Theatre in Deal on Saturday 17 October 2026, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are needed and are available through the event page. The show suits fans of classic rock and audiences of all ages.
Image: The Astor Community TheatreAn as live screening of Verdi's opera Macbeth, presented by The Royal Ballet and Opera in conjunction with The Metropolitan Opera, takes place at The Astor Community Theatre in Deal on 20 October 2026, starting at 5:45pm. Booking is required and tickets are available through the event page. It suits opera fans and anyone interested in filmed live performances.
Image: The Astor Community TheatreThe Deal Film Festival opens with the UK gala premiere of Dover Unlocked, followed by a question and answer session with the filmmaker and a live music performance by Anna Phoebe and Richard Bundy. It takes place at The Astor Theatre in Deal on 23 October 2026 from 6pm, and suits film fans and music lovers. Booking is required through the event page.
Image: Deal and Walmer Chamber of TradeDeal and Walmer Chamber of Trade's annual switch-on of the High Street Christmas lights, with an hour of stage entertainment outside St George's Church before the countdown. Father Christmas arrives, and snow machines finish the evening.
Image: English HeritageScarecrows made by local schools, clubs and groups take over the gardens at Walmer for the 2026 trail, themed on myths and legends. Wander the grounds to find them all and vote for your favourite before you leave, with a rosette for the winner.
Image: English HeritageA guided hour of nature journaling around the gardens for the whole family. Everyone gets a journal full of prompts and questions to fill in as you listen, look, draw or write, and you can finish it at home.
Image: English HeritageA half-term craft session where children build a small spooky scarecrow, either from ready-cut pieces or from scratch with recycled materials and decorations. It runs on two mornings into the early afternoon.
Image: English HeritageChildren design a Halloween mask for their spooky alter ego, from classic creepy characters to something entirely their own. A drop-in craft session during half-term week.
Image: English HeritagePick a Halloween look from a rail of costumes and take spooky family selfies. Two sessions run on the Friday of half-term.
Image: Deal CastleDeal Castle is the most elaborate of Henry VIII's artillery forts, right on the seafront at Deal. Explore the fortress displays, then head into the dark, narrow Rounds passage that circles the base. Displays, audio posts and a graffiti room bring the garrison to life, and children can borrow wooden muskets.
Image: Walmer Castle and GardensWalmer Castle is a Tudor coastal fort near Deal that was later transformed into a residence surrounded by fine gardens. Explore the castle, then the Broad Walk, working kitchen garden, Quarry Garden and contemporary Queen Mother's Garden before tea. It makes a relaxed two to three hours on the coast.
Image: Sandwich Guildhall MuseumSandwich Guildhall Museum, in the town's 16th century Guildhall, tells the story of Sandwich from its early beginnings to today. Its treasures include the town's 1300 copies of Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest, alongside finds back to the Mesolithic. It is free and makes a good hour on a wander round the medieval town.
Image: English HeritageRichborough is where the invading Roman army came ashore in AD 43, and the fort here saw the start, height and end of Roman rule in Britain. Climb the reconstructed timber gateway for views over the site, explore the ruins and museum, and walk out to the amphitheatre earthworks. It suits families and history fans and needs about two hours.
Image: National TrustSouth Foreland Lighthouse is a Victorian lighthouse on the White Cliffs, built to guide ships past the Goodwin Sands and the first to use an electric light. Take a guided tour, enjoy the views over the Strait of Dover and stop at the 1950s-style tearoom. It suits families and walkers, and pairs naturally with a clifftop walk from Dover or St Margaret's.
Image: National TrustFan Bay Deep Shelter is a network of Second World War tunnels dug into the White Cliffs in 1940 and 1941, explored on a hard hat and head torch tour with National Trust guides. The visit also takes in two early sound mirrors and the excavated number 3 gun emplacement. It suits older children, teens and adults keen on history, and takes around 90 minutes plus the clifftop walk.
Image: White Cliffs Country (Dover District Council)Deal Beach is a long stretch of pebbles with a promenade and one of only two piers in Kent, a short stroll from the town's independent cafes and shops. Fish from the pier, play crazy golf, paddle or swim, then wander into town. It suits families and couples for a relaxed half day by the sea.
Image: Betteshanger ParkBetteshanger Park is a 250-acre country park on the site of Kent's last working coal mine, just outside Deal. There are cycling and walking trails, a play park and a café, and the Kent Mining Museum and Collier's Way trail tell the story of the coalfield. Dogs are clearly welcome, with dog shows and walks on the events calendar.
Image: Sandwich Guildhall MuseumSandwich Guildhall Museum, in the town's 16th century Guildhall, tells the story of Sandwich from its early beginnings to today. Its treasures include the town's 1300 copies of Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest, alongside finds back to the Mesolithic. It is free and makes a good hour on a wander round the medieval town.
Photo: pam fray, CC BY-SA 2.0Gazen Salts is a peaceful community-run nature reserve on the edge of Sandwich, bordered on three sides by the River Stour. Around a mile and a half of footpaths wind past lakes, reed beds and a meadow, with roosting birds in winter. It suits a quiet hour's stroll for families and nature lovers.
Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0This 4 mile there-and-back route follows the top of the White Cliffs from the National Trust visitor centre to the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse. Look out for wartime gun emplacements, Channel views to France and a stop at the lighthouse tearoom when it is open. It suits confident walkers and older children and takes two to three hours.
Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0Pegwell Bay is part of the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, with a country park whose sea wall path looks out over saltmarsh and mudflats. Watch waders and wildfowl in autumn and winter, look for seals from the end of Stonelees and use the play and picnic areas. It suits families, dog walkers and birdwatchers for a couple of hours.
