With Kids
Ice cream, bikes, castles and pebble beaches, mostly within walking distance.
Best for: proper seaside ice creams and enormous sundaes
A gloriously nostalgic ice-cream parlour on Beach Street, overlooking the sea and pier. Expect traditional cones, knickerbocker glories, brightly coloured sundaes and plenty of choices designed to make children very happy.
57 Beach Street, Deal
The best fish and chips are from Middle Street Fish Bar. Pick them up and take them down to the seafront, remembering to protect them from the seagulls. Opening days and hours can be limited, so check before promising everyone chips.
78 Middle Street, Deal
Best for: burning off energy
A large country park just outside Deal with traffic-free cycling and walking trails, an adventure play area and a changing programme of outdoor activities. Depending on the date and age of the children, activities can include fossil hunting, forest school, archery and other outdoor adventures. Some sessions need to be booked in advance.
Bikes can make it a full day out, but the park is also good for a walk, play and café stop.
A compact Tudor castle beside the seafront, with winding passages, thick walls and hidden corners to explore. It is manageable with children because it feels like an adventure without requiring an entire day.
Deal and Walmer have pebble beaches rather than sand, but they are excellent for stone-skimming, swimming, beachcombing and building increasingly ambitious pebble structures. Walk to the end of Deal Pier for the view and stop at Deal Pier Kitchen for something to eat.
For a small outing beyond the town, visit Solley's at Ripple, where the ice cream is made. There are more than 15 flavours to choose from, with space to sit outside when the weather is good.
Ready-made days
Deal Castle → lunch or fish and chips → Deal Beach Parlour.
Cycling and activities at Betteshanger Park → early dinner at the Zetland.
Walk into Deal → pier → fish and chips → ice-cream sundae → beach.