family days out in kent

What are the opening times?

Dates Opening Times Opening Days 21 Mar -30 Sep 10am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. (Closes 5pm Sats)

Deal Castle

Deal Castle is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England. It is among the earliest and most elaborate of a chain of coastal forts, which also includes Calshot, Camber,Walmer and Pendennis Castles. Most were built 'with all speed, and without sparing any cost' between 1539 and 1542 by order of King Henry VIII, who feared an invasion by European Catholic powers. Its squat, rounded turrets were designed to deflect incoming cannon balls, and acted as platforms from which to fire increasingly sophisticated artillery pieces. Deal is also equipped for closequarter defence, with no less than 145 embrasures for firearms. The fort guarded the sheltered anchorage of 'the Downs' - the stretch of water between the shore and the hazardous Goodwin Sands, a graveyard of ships. The foreign invasion never materialised, but Deal Castle saw hard fighting during the Second Civil War (1648). Taken by forces from the rebel Royalist fleet, it was twice besieged by Parliamentarians, and finally surrendered after the bloody repulse of a relief attempt. Today you can explore the whole of the castle, from the storerooms to the first-floor captain's residence. A pleasant cycle path links Deal and Walmer Castles along the beachfront.

Dunkerleys Restaurant & Hotel (0.2 miles)
Deal 01304 380187
Welcome to Dunkerley's Restaurant and Hotel 3 Star Silver Award - AA + SEETB recommended Our award-winning restaurant and accommodation is in the heart of Deal, just a stone's throw away from..

Tides Leisure Pool (0.4 miles)
Deal 01304 373399
Tides Leisure Pool Tides Leisure Centre in Deal is a multi sports leisure centre with associated Indoor Tennis Centre. Very popular with families, Tides has a free form leisure pool with..

Walmer Castle (0.9 miles)
Deal 01304 364288
Walmer Castle Originally built during the reign of Henry VIII as part of a chain of coastal artillery defences against Catholic attack from Europe,Walmer Castle has evolved over time into..

Fowlmead Country Park (2.3 miles)
Nr Deal 01304 615390
FOWLMEAD IS OPEN FROM 8AM TO 17.30PM EVERY DAY (Colliers Gate [Fowlmead's back gate for pedestrians and cyclists] opens at 8.15am and closes at  17.15pm; Fowlmead..

The Coastguard (3.8 miles)
Dover 01304853176
The Coastguard Pub & Restaurant isn’t hard to find. Head for the sound of the waves lapping against the white cliffs of Dover, the delicious aroma of local produce cooking in a busy..

The Bay Restaurant (4.2 miles)
St Margarets-at-Cliffe 01304 852 229
The Bay Restaurant Eat in the The Bay Restaurant or on the terrace at breakfast, take lunch in the lounge by the fire in winter or in the rose garden in summer and dine in the oak-beamed Bay..

Walletts Court (4.8 miles)
Dover 01304 852424
Wallett's Court Headed up by Restaurateur Gavin Oakley and kitchen genius head-chef Ryan Tasker, whose passion and flare put Wallett’s Court firmly on the gastronomic map. Foodies, bon-viveurs..

Secret Gardens of Sandwich (5 miles)
Sandwich 01304 619919
Secret Gardens Unveil Jekyll's Long Border Work has been completed on a stunning new attraction at the award-winning Secret Gardens of Sandwich. The 200-ft long Long Border is a re-creation..

Rare Species Conservation Centre (5.2 miles)
Sandwich 01304 611578
Rare Species Conservation Centre About Rare Species Conservation Centre was created in 2006, It was formerly a small children’s zoo and it was taken over and renovated by a small..

Sea Searcher Boat Trips (5.6 miles)
Ramsgate 07837 562076
Sea Searcher Boat Trips A traditional boat and experienced skipper for all types of boat trip from Ramsgate. Safety is our prime concern, as well as giving a great experience to our customers. Sightseeing..