My journey here has taken me through several corners of the UK. I spent my childhood in Dorset, surrounded by the Jurassic Coast and lush countryside, and later lived in Winchester—a city as pretty as it is posh—before heading to the Big Smoke. London offered excitement, but during the pandemic, when cafes, restaurants, and shops closed their doors, and as working from home became the norm, I decided to relocate to the coast. Initially, I wanted to settle in Brighton, but soaring rents and the gritty vibe—beloved by some—soon put me off. That’s when I turned my sights to Kent and found my new home in Deal.

This year, The Sunday Times named Deal one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026, and I wholeheartedly agree. According to the judges, they focused on vibrant communities with a strong sense of togetherness, rather than just famous names or high house prices. Each location was personally visited and evaluated for its schools, transport, broadband, and mobile connectivity.

Norwich claimed the top spot, celebrated by the publication as “a creative, contemporary city, with a small-town feel.”

Unlike other seaside towns, Deal doesn’t have gaudy roller coasters and tired-looking shopfronts. While coastal towns elsewhere have struggled recently, Deal is positively thriving.

Below, I’ve shared everything I love about the town and why I think it’s one of the best places to live in the UK:

The Seafront

Deal’s iconic pier—the last remaining leisure pier in Kent—is perhaps its most famous landmark. This concrete-clad Brutalist structure juts over 1,000 feet into the Dover Strait. Opened in 1957 by the Duke of Edinburgh, it features three tiers, fishing decks, and Deal Pier Kitchen, a restaurant where you can enjoy locally sourced food and drink with views of France on a clear day.

I often take lunchtime strolls along the pier, exchanging nods with the fishermen hauling in dogfish and mackerel. Just recently, I even spotted a seal surfacing beside the pier.

Beach Street is lined with a lively mix of restaurants, hotels, pubs, and cafés tucked among pastel-hued houses. Unlike the weary chippies and ice cream parlours found in other seaside towns, every 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 the classic chip shop fare, but often features specials like skate wing, rock, crab salad, and squid. The queues on King Street during busy summer days speak for themselves: the fish and chips here are superb.

Just around the corner from Sea View, opposite the pier, is Deal Beach Parlour—a 1960s spot with large windows overlooking the promenade. Alongside tea, coffee, and snacks, they serve an array of ice creams, sundaes, knickerbocker glories, cookie dough, waffles, and more.

I often stop by for an ice cream on a warm day; my favourite is coconut cookie flavour in a waffle cone, but banana, pistachio and Eton Mess are worthy contenders.

I recently visited The Blue Pelican for the first time for their ramen and have since returned for their evening menu. The Japanese-inspired restaurant, which serves small plates and sharing dishes, has become a go-to spot for Londoners and is often packed on weekends.

Early acclaim from food critic and MasterChef judge Grace Dent in 2024 helped put The Blue Pelican on the map. It now ranks 85th among the UK’s top 100 restaurants for 2026, according to SquareMeal.

Spice lovers shouldn’t miss The Port Arms, where Soul Chef Kitchen offers a vibrant Jamaican menu. The menu—including jerk chicken, mac ‘n’ cheese, fried plantain, and more—is perfect for al fresco dining with a sea view.

The High Street

Deal’s independent shops and cafés are the town’s beating heart. While a few essential chains, such as Superdrug, Boots, Costa, and Starbucks, are present on one end of the street, the majority are local businesses, which I adore.

Barkened, at the north end of the high street, is a favourite of mine for unique gifts for dog lovers and homeware enthusiasts.

For eclectic clothing and gifts, Urban Chic is a must—its colourful womenswear, accessories, and homeware make it my go-to for Christmas shopping. There’s always something here I won’t find anywhere else.

Down St George’s Passage lies The Little Purple Wardrobe, a real gem offering pre-loved designer and high-street women’s clothes, shoes, hats, and accessories. It’s my first stop when I need an outfit for a special occasion or want quality clothing.

Every Saturday morning, the north end of the high street transforms for the weekly market in Union Road car park, running from 9am to 2pm. The area is closed to cars and pedestrianised, letting it buzz with locals and visitors buying fresh bread, pastries, flowers, eggs, fruit, and veg.

There’s a wonderful array of stalls: fresh flowers, china, vintage clothes, books, furniture, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts, and irresistible cakes. Even if you’re not shopping, wandering the market with a coffee from Real Deal Roasters is a real treat.

Just off the high street on South Court, The Lane is a fantastic spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The staff are welcoming and attentive, and the food—especially the burgers, breakfast dishes, and sandwiches—draws crowds. The Lane also has a bakery on Queen Street, perfect for cake, brownies, or cookies with a fresh cup of coffee. They even offer postal cakes and brownies, so you can enjoy them wherever you are.

At the southern end of the high street, Pop Up Café is an independent vegetarian café offering speciality coffee, matcha, smoothies, and delicious brunch and lunch dishes. Their croissants, pastries, and cakes are made in-house, and their sandwiches and toasties are made with their own sourdough. The Pain au chocolat, filled with three sticks of Valrhona chocolate, is out of this world with a hot matcha latte—take my word for it.

Lolë Wellness Cafe, which is located in South Court, just off the high street, has become a favourite of mine. Their homemade banana bread and porridge are heavenly, and they offer a fantastic range of healthier lunch options, perfect for those looking to cut back on the aforementioned pastries and sweet treats. I have become a regular customer of late, often popping in for a fruity iced matcha and a snack.

In the middle of the high street, Lavender & Blackberry is an award-winning florist with a wonderful greengrocer’s and coffee shop. They serve fresh salads, breakfast, coffee, teas, smoothies, juices, matcha, and baked goods. I love their rose matcha latte with cold foam and the dark chocolate sea salt cookie, while my husband prefers a fresh juice and a salad. It has become a weekly ritual of late to pop in for a takeaway drink.

Hidden just off the high street on Broad Street is Little Harriettes of Deal Tea Rooms. I first visited on a whim for warm scones and tea, and the experience was so lovely that I’ve returned twice since. It’s also very reasonably priced—our homemade soup, bread, two pots of tea, and two large scones with jam and clotted cream came to less than £20.

Inside, you’re greeted by traditional Victorian tearoom decor: a small chandelier, vintage furniture, a cake counter, and floral bone china for tea.

Late last year, I also discovered Miretti at the north end of the high street-a cosy spot for coffee and homemade cakes, chocolates, and Italian biscuits, run by a friendly couple. The selection is small, but every item I tried was sublime: a rich, nutty dark chocolate praline truffle and a creamy vanilla custard cake.

Sitting outside with my coffee and cake, I could almost imagine I was in Italy—if not for the chilly British weather.

The sites

Beyond its vibrant food scene, Deal also boasts a rich history. One of its standout attractions is Deal Castle, built by Henry VIII to defend England from a potential invasion by European Catholic forces. The castle offers a fun day out for families and history enthusiasts alike.

Inside, interactive exhibits and colourful displays bring the castle’s past to life. A giant illustrated map of Europe sets the scene, helping visitors understand the political tensions of the era, while audio features let you overhear the thoughts of Henry VIII and his adversaries.

You can wander through the castle’s narrow, atmospheric ‘Rounds’ passage, circling the stronghold. Children will love handling a wooden musket as they explore. Afterwards, head up the spiral staircase to the ‘Captains of Deal’ exhibit.

If you’ve already taken in the history of Deal Castle, Walmer Castle makes for a wonderful next stop, just a mile away. Also built under Henry VIII, Walmer Castle is set within more than eight acres of beautifully landscaped, award-winning gardens.

For almost 300 years, Walmer Castle has served as the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports—a position held by some of Britain’s most celebrated figures, such as the Duke of Wellington and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Inside, exhibits pay special tribute to the Duke of Wellington, who held the post for 23 years until his death in 1852. Among the highlights are the very armchair in which he died and an original pair of his iconic ‘Wellington boots’.

One of the main reasons people flock to Deal is its beaches. I love all the beaches in the local area, but Deal Beach holds a special place in my heart because it’s right on my doorstep. There are four main beaches around Deal: Deal Beach, Walmer Beach, Kingsdown Beach and Sandwich Bay. They are all relatively quiet compared to some of the UK’s more popular pebbly beaches, like Brighton, and are ideal for fishing and walking.

There are paths running along the seafront next to the beaches that connect Deal with Sandwich, Dover, Folkestone and Margate. Although it’s worth checking the weather and the route before embarking on these walks, as some span 30km.

If you’re a history buff, then there are plenty of museums to check out in Deal, including Deal Museum, Kent Museum of the Moving Image and the Timeball Tower.

The People

I’m not from Kent originally, and I didn’t know a single person when I moved here. It was a gamble, but one that has paid off.

Contrary to the stereotype that Southerners are less welcoming than Northerners, Deal is an exceptionally friendly town. Most locals are quick to greet you and strike up a conversation, and shop or café owners regularly go out of their way to offer help or advice.

While there are always exceptions, I’ve yet to meet anyone in Deal who wasn’t friendly or approachable. Much of this warmth stems from a strong sense of community. People genuinely look out for each other, supporting local businesses and working together—especially during the quieter winter months when seaside towns can struggle.

Relocating to a new place without knowing anyone can be daunting, but getting involved in local activities is one of the best ways to build connections. Deal offers a fantastic range of groups and classes—everything from dance and art to book clubs, fitness sessions, yoga, pilates, and more.

Transport

Those who work in London can reach St Pancras in 90 minutes from Deal via the HS1 service. There is also a slower train to Charing Cross that takes two hours and 15 minutes.

Local bus services are generally reliable, but some are irregular and tend to finish early in the evening.

The Downsides

As much as I love living in Deal, affordability is a real issue. The average house price here over the past year was £340,292, according to Rightmove, and rents typically range from £950 to £1,300 per month.

For local residents earning local wages, buying a home can feel out of reach. It’s easy to see why some people resent second homeowners who leave their properties empty for most of the year.

Despite this, until I’m priced out, I will continue to live in Deal for the foreseeable future.

I have no regrets about leaving London for life by the sea, but I do worry that Deal’s newfound fame could eventually price out the very people who make this town so special.