Visiting Deal & Walmer
By Train
Deal and Walmer Stations are very well connected with regular high speed services to London’s St Pancras, additional services to London Bridge, London Victoria and local services to Ramsgate, Dover, Folkestone and Ashford, add a change at one of Kents train hubs and most of Kent is easily reached, change at St Pancras and Eurostar is waiting to connect with the continent.
Visiting by train is highly recommended, Deal station is perfectly located within a 10 minute walk of all the central Deal attractions including the Promenade, Beach and Pier, the historic and still working Time Ball Tower, the Kent Museum of the Moving Image, the Astor Theatre, Deal’s Middle Street conservation area, the huge range of shopping, cafes, pubs and restaurants not to mention Henry VIII’s Deal Castle. With trains running until late evening, Deal and Walmer can be a full day’s outing.
By Road
East Kent is fortunate to have two motorways connecting us with the M25, London and the rest of the UK.
The M2 takes you through northern Kent, turning off towards Canterbury/Dover at J7 onto the A2 brings you to Dover and the Duke of York Roundabout where Deal is signposted left on the A258.
The M20 takes you through central Kent, joining the A20 as you pass Folkestone, into Dover and the roundabout in front of the Eastern Docks where Deal is signposted right up Jubilee Way to the Duke of York roundabout turning right onto the A258.
At times when the ports are particularly busy, the M20 is turned into a 50mph contraflow to remove queuing lorries which is very successful at keeping traffic moving. East Kent remains very much open and accessible.
From Thanet follow road signs for A256 Sandwich and then take its bypass until you get to the A258 as above. From Whitstable and Hearne Bay head towards Ramsgate on the A299 and then as above.
Driving time from the M25 is usually just over 1 hour and from Thanet about 30 minutes.
Whilst the major roads are optimal, there are many country lanes and villages if you have the time to go scenic.
Parking
Local Council information on car parks and charges https://www.dover.gov.uk/Transport,-Streets–Parking/Parking/Car-Parks-in-Deal.aspx
Sainsburys and Aldi have free limited stay parking, check signage.
There are free Car Parks at Borrow Pitt Car Park, the Royal Marines Memorial Garden, Tides, Deal (4hr maximum stay, ticket must be obtained from machine upon entry) and Victoria Park, check signage.
Limited 1 or 2 hour stay free parking zones on residential roads around the centre, check signage. Further out is generally free parking with a 10+ minute walk back to the centre.
Please park with consideration for others.
By Bus
Stagecoach buses run from Canterbury via Sandwich or Whitfield and from Dover from where connections to other parts of Kent are available. They also run local buses within Deal and Walmer.
By Bicycle
Deal has many cycle paths and is well connected to Thanet, Canterbury and Dover. https://www.deal.gov.uk/Cycle_Friendly_Deal_34792.aspx
From Europe
Eurostar currently connects Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam with London St Pancras where you can connect to High Speed services back down to Deal and Walmer.
Eurotunnel connects with Calais and following signs for Folkestone when exiting the terminal it is about 30 minutes from Deal following the directions from M20 above.
P&O and Irish Ferries operate ferries between Dover and Calais, while DFDS also offers services to Dunkerque. At the dock exit use the centre lane to turn onto Jubilee Way and then follow the road directions above.
Marina facilities for private yachts are available at Dover and Ramsgate.
For further tourist information visit Deal Town’s information centre https://www.deal.gov.uk/Local__and__Visitor_Information_27242.aspx
