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My path here has led me across various parts of the UK. I grew up in Dorset, encircled by the Jurassic Coast and lush countryside, and later lived in Winchester—a city as charming as it is posh—before moving to the capital. London provided excitement, but during the pandemic, when cafés, restaurants, and shops shut, and as remote working became standard, I chose to move to the coast. At first, I hoped to settle in Brighton, but escalating rents and the rough-around-the-edges atmosphere—cherished by some—quickly deterred me. That's when I set my sights on Kent and discovered my new home in Deal.

This year, The Sunday Times crowned Deal among the UK's best places to live in 2026, and I couldn't agree more. According to the judges, they prioritised vibrant communities with a strong sense of togetherness, rather than just famous names or high property prices. Each location was personally inspected and assessed for its schools, transport, broadband, and mobile connectivity.

Norwich secured the number one position, hailed by the publication as "a creative, contemporary city, with a small-town feel."

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Unlike other seaside towns, Deal doesn't have gaudy amusements and tired-looking shopfronts. While coastal towns elsewhere have struggled recently, Deal is positively flourishing, partly because of its impressive foodie scene, reports the Express.

Below, I've outlined everything I love about the town and why I believe 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 arguably its most recognisable landmark. This concrete-clad Brutalist structure extends over 1,000 feet into the Dover Strait. Opened in 1957 by the Duke of Edinburgh, it boasts three tiers, fishing decks, and Deal Pier Kitchen, a restaurant where diners can enjoy locally sourced food and drink with views of France on a clear day.

I frequently take lunchtime walks along the pier, exchanging nods with the anglers reeling in dogfish and mackerel. Just recently, I even witnessed a seal appearing beside the pier.

Beach Street is packed with a vibrant selection of restaurants, hotels, pubs, and cafés nestled among pastel-coloured houses. Unlike the tired chippies and ice cream parlours seen in other coastal towns, every establishment has proved its worth on Deal's cherished seafront.

For fish and chips, Sea View is my favourite. This unpretentious restaurant and takeaway offers all the traditional chip shop staples, but regularly features specials like skate wing, rock, crab salad, and squid. The queues on King Street during hectic summer days tell their own story: the fish and chips here are outstanding.

Just round the corner from Sea View, opposite the pier, sits Deal Beach Parlour - a 1960s establishment with expansive windows overlooking the promenade. Alongside tea, coffee, and snacks, they serve a range of ice creams, sundaes, knickerbocker glories, cookie dough, waffles, and more. I frequently pop in for an ice cream on a sunny day; my go-to is coconut cookie flavour in a waffle cone, though banana, pistachio and Eton Mess are strong contenders.

I recently visited The Blue Pelican for the first time for their ramen and have since returned for their evening menu. The Japanese-influenced restaurant, which serves small plates and sharing dishes, has become a popular destination for Londoners and is frequently busy at weekends.

Early praise from food critic and MasterChef judge Grace Dent in 2024 helped establish The Blue Pelican's reputation. It now sits at 85th among the UK's top 100 restaurants for 2026, according to SquareMeal.

Those who enjoy spice shouldn't miss The Port Arms, where Soul Chef Kitchen offers a vibrant Jamaican menu. The selection—including jerk chicken, mac 'n' cheese, fried plantain, and more—is ideal for outdoor dining with a sea view.

The High Street

Deal's independent shops and cafés form the town's beating heart. While a handful of essential chains, such as Superdrug, Boots, Costa, and Starbucks, occupy one end of the street, most are local businesses, which I love.

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

For eclectic clothing and gifts, Urban Chic is essential—its colourful womenswear, accessories, and homeware make it my destination for Christmas shopping. There's always something here I won't find elsewhere.

Tucked down St George's Passage sits The Little Purple Wardrobe, a treasure trove stocking pre-loved designer and high-street women's clothing, footwear, hats, and accessories. It's my go-to destination when I need an outfit for a special occasion or want quality garments.

Every Saturday morning, the northern section of the high street undergoes a transformation for the weekly market in Union Road car park, operating from 9am to 2pm. The zone is shut to vehicles and pedestrianised, allowing it to thrive with locals and visitors purchasing fresh bread, pastries, flowers, eggs, fruit, and vegetables.

There's a marvellous selection of stalls: fresh flowers, china, vintage clothing, books, furniture, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts, and tempting cakes. Even if you're not purchasing anything, strolling through the market with a coffee from Real Deal Roasters is a genuine pleasure.

Just off the high street on South Court, The Lane is a brilliant venue for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The team are friendly and attentive, and the food—particularly the burgers, breakfast options, and sandwiches—attracts crowds. The Lane also operates a bakery on Queen Street, ideal for cake, brownies, or biscuits with a fresh cup of coffee. They even provide postal cakes and brownies, so you can savour them wherever you happen to be.

At the southern end of the high street, you'll find Pop Up Café, a charming independent vegetarian café serving speciality coffee, matcha, smoothies, and mouth-watering brunch and lunch dishes. They pride themselves on their homemade croissants, pastries, and cakes, and their sandwiches and toasties are crafted with their own sourdough. Trust me when I say their Pain au chocolat, packed with three sticks of Valrhona chocolate, is simply divine when paired with a hot matcha latte.

Nestled in South Court just off the high street is Lolë Wellness Cafe, which has quickly become a personal favourite. Their homemade banana bread and porridge are to die for, and they offer a fantastic range of healthier lunch options, ideal for those looking to cut back on the aforementioned pastries and sweet treats. I've found myself becoming a regular customer, often popping in for a fruity iced matcha and a snack.

Situated in the heart of the high street, Lavender & Blackberry is an award-winning florist boasting a delightful greengrocer's and coffee shop. They serve fresh salads, breakfast, coffee, teas, smoothies, juices, matcha, and baked goods. I'm particularly fond of their rose matcha latte with cold foam and the dark chocolate sea salt cookie, while my husband tends to opt for a fresh juice and a salad. It's become a weekly tradition to pop in for a takeaway drink.

Tucked away just off the high street on Broad Street sits Little Harriettes of Deal Tea Rooms. I initially popped in on impulse for warm scones and tea, and the experience proved so delightful that I've been back twice since. It's also extremely wallet-friendly - our homemade soup, bread, two pots of tea, and two generous scones with jam and clotted cream totalled less than £20.

Step inside and you're welcomed by classic Victorian tearoom styling: a petite chandelier, period furniture, a cake display, and floral bone china for tea.

Towards the end of last year, I also stumbled upon Miretti at the northern tip of the high street - an inviting venue for coffee and homemade cakes, chocolates, and Italian biscuits, operated by a warm couple. While the range is small, everything I sampled was exquisite: a decadent, nutty dark chocolate praline truffle and a velvety vanilla custard cake.

Perched outside with my coffee and cake, I could nearly picture myself in Italy - were it not for the cold British weather.

The Attractions

Beyond its thriving culinary scene, Deal also features a fascinating heritage. Among its premier attractions is Deal Castle, constructed by Henry VIII to protect England from a possible invasion by European Catholic powers. The castle provides an enjoyable day out for families and history buffs alike. Inside, interactive displays and vibrant exhibits animate the castle's history. A large illustrated map of Europe sets the context, aiding visitors in grasping the political strains of the period, while audio features allow you to eavesdrop on the musings of Henry VIII and his foes.

You can meander through the castle's narrow, atmospheric 'Rounds' passage, encircling the fortress. Kids will delight in handling a wooden musket as they explore. Afterwards, ascend the spiral staircase to the 'Captains of Deal' exhibit.

If you've already soaked up the history of Deal Castle, Walmer Castle is a splendid next destination, just a mile away. Also constructed under Henry VIII, Walmer Castle is nestled within over eight acres of beautifully landscaped, award-winning gardens.

For nearly 300 years, Walmer Castle has functioned as the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports—a role occupied by some of Britain's most renowned figures, such as the Duke of Wellington and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Inside, exhibits pay particular homage 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 passed away and an original pair of his iconic 'Wellington boots'.

One of the primary reasons visitors are drawn to Deal is its beaches. I adore all the beaches in the surrounding area, but Deal Beach occupies a special place in my heart as it's right on my doorstep. There are four principal beaches around Deal: Deal Beach, Walmer Beach, Kingsdown Beach and Sandwich Bay. They are all comparatively peaceful compared to some of the UK's busier pebbly beaches, like Brighton, and are perfect for fishing and walking.

There are pathways running along the seafront beside the beaches that link Deal with Sandwich, Dover, Folkestone and Margate. Though it's advisable to check the weather and the route before setting out on these walks, as some stretch 30km.

If you're a history enthusiast, then there are numerous museums to explore in Deal, including Deal Museum, Kent Museum of the Moving Image and the Timeball Tower.

The People

I'm not originally from Kent, and I didn't know a single soul when I relocated here. It was a gamble, but one that has proved worthwhile.

Contrary to the perception that Southerners are less welcoming than Northerners, Deal is an exceptionally friendly town. Most residents are quick to greet you and start a conversation, and shop or café proprietors regularly go out of their way to offer help or guidance. While there are always outliers, I've yet to encounter anyone in Deal who wasn't amiable or welcoming. Much of this friendliness originates from a strong sense of community. People genuinely care for each other, supporting local businesses and collaborating - particularly during the quieter winter months when coastal towns can face challenges.

Moving to a new location without knowing anyone can be intimidating, but participating in local activities is one of the best ways to build relationships. Deal boasts an excellent array of groups and classes - everything from dance and art to book clubs, fitness sessions, yoga, pilates, and more.

Transport

For those working in London, St Pancras can be reached in 90 minutes from Deal via the HS1 service. There's also a slower train to Charing Cross that takes two hours and 15 minutes.

Local bus services are generally dependable, but some are sporadic and tend to wrap up early in the evening.

The Downsides

As much as I adore residing in Deal, affordability is a genuine concern. The average house price here over the past year was £340,292, according to Rightmove, and rents typically vary from £950 to £1,300 per month.

For local residents earning local wages, purchasing a home can seem unattainable. It's understandable why some people harbour resentment towards second homeowners who leave their properties vacant for most of the year.

Despite this, until I'm priced out, I plan to continue living in Deal for the foreseeable future.

I have no regrets about swapping London for coastal living, but I am concerned that Deal's growing popularity could ultimately force out the very residents who make this town so unique.