Places and Events to Visit in Deal 2012

Below is a comprehensive list and details of places and events to visit in Deal during 2011

Antiques & Collectors Market...............................................Sunday 19th February 2012 - 09.00 - 16.00
Astor Community Theatre, Stanhope Road, Deal - Tel: 01304 370220

South East Kent Astronomical Society's Public Stargazing ....................Friday 24th February 2012
Walmer Castle seafront car park 7.30pm - approx 10.30pm, weather permitting. An opportunity to explore the wonders of our universe with the help of several telescopes and expert advice from SEKAS members. All are welcome but children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Free

The Guild Players production of "RolePlay" ........................................... Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 March
A comedy by Alan Ayckbourn, Kilshawe Theatre, St George's Hall, High Street, Deal, nightly at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 to £8.

Fowl Mead Country Park..........................................................Friday 8 June 2012 to Sunday 10 June 2012
2012 World Human Powered Vehicle Championship

Walmer Horse and Dog Show ............................................... Sunday 24th June 2012
Walmer Castle Paddock. Horse events from 9am - Dog show from 1pm. Entry and parking: free. - In aid of the Martha Trust and Lord Whisky Sanctuary Trust.

Deal Festival of Music and Arts...................................29th June to 8th July 2012
The festival is tightly packed with as wide a range of music as possible, including opera, street music, cabaret, classical, world and jazz.  There are also Festival club events, talks, art exhibitions, literary encounters and an extensive range of education projects and family-friendly performances.

Walmer Parochial Church Council's Summer Fayre ................Saturday 30th June 2012
Walmer Green, opposite The Strand, Walmer, 10am-2pm. Featuring events, stalls, a raffle and many activities for children.

Gateway to the Olympics
The Olympic Torch is coming to Dover on Wednesday 18 July 2012 and then continuing its journey through Deal, Sholden and Sandwich on 19 July as part of its journey around the UK.

Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown Carnival & Regatta................ Sun 22 - Thu 26 Jul 2012
Sunday 22nd July sees a full days events including lorry pull, raft racing, sea swim etc. Thursady 26th Carnival Procession

Deal Hospital Fete ............................................Saturday 4th August 2012
Deal Memorial Hospital, London Road, Deal, starts 1pm. Sideshows and attractions with Barbecue provided by Deal and District Motor Cycle Club.

Deal Maritime Folk Festival...................................................Thursday 13th - Sunday 16th September 2012
A lovely mix of old, new and world folk music with the best of Kent's traditional folk and dance.  Now who can remember that classic sea shanty "What shall we do with the drunken sailor?"

Kent Miners Festival...............................................................Monday 27th August 2012
A family day of fun for all the family at Aylesham Village.  This Traditional Miners Gala includes music, exhibitions, entertainment, re-unions, stalls and lots more for your enjoyment.

Kent Life - Hops ‘n' Harvest Festival...................................Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September 2012
Traditional Hop Picking, Live & Local Music and a large selection of real ales and ciders. Location: Maidstone

Deal Christmas Carnival.........................................................Saturday 8th December 2012
A Carnival Procession through Deal Town centre is preceeded by Carols at Deal Memorial Bandstand.

Popular Attractions

Deal Memorial Bandstand Concerts.......................................Sunday Afternoons from May to September
Concerts are held on Sunday afternoons starting at 2.30pm at Walmer Green.  The Royal Marines Concert will be held on Sunday 10th July - 2pm.

Deal General Market ........................................Every Saturday - morning and early afternoon in Union Road/Duke Street carpark, Deal.

Deal Boot Fair ...................................................Most Saturdays - The Landmark Centre, High Street, Deal, 9am-3pm.

Grand Shaft..............................................................................July & August - Tuesday-Sunday 2pm-5pm
The Grand Shaft is a triple spiral staircase built to connect Victorian army barracks on the Heights with the town below. Fine views over the Channel and Dover. The Heights features coastal fortifications dating from the late 1700's and 1800's.

Sandwich River Bus................................................................School Holidyays & Bank Holidays - Term time - Thursdays to Sundays 11am-6pm
A variety of excursions are available aboard the famous Sandwich River Bus, captained by a friendly, fully qualified and insured crew.

Tides Leisure Centre
An indoor leisure centre with wave pool and slides, Jacuzzi and toddler pool.

Walmer Castle and Gardens
Built in 1540 as part of Henry VIII’s chain of coastal defences, from where you can see the Duke of Wellington’s room and commemorative gardens of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Walmer Paddling Pool.............................................................May - September
Located on Walmer Green, the paddling pool is for children aged 10 and under. Also a putting green, crazy golf , bouncy castle and refreshment kiosk.

Rare Species Conservation Centre........................................Summer 10am-5pm - Winter 10am - 3.30pm Daily
Home to a unique collection of the world's lesser known rare and endangered species of animals.

Fishing Competitions 2012

All competitions are run by Deal Angling Club 1919 and you can find more details HERE
The club have organised over 60 competitions this year covering boat, pier and beach fishing so there is plenty for all to have a go at.

Junior Pier Festival..................................................................Sunday 29th July - Fishing 11am - 3pm
Many Trophies and Prizes Including: Rods - Reels - Tackle Box plus plenty of other prizes.  FREE Sweets, Crisps & Drinks!

Junior Pier Festival..................................................................Sunday 12th August - Fishing 11am - 3p
Many Trophies and Prizes Including: Rods - Reels - Tackle Box plus plenty of other prizes.  FREE Sweets, Crisps & Drinks!

Deal Maritime Fishing Competition.......................................Sunday 16th September - Fishing 11am - 3pm

British Open Championship....................................................Sunday 7th October - Fishing 11am - 4pm

British Open Junior Angling Championship...........................Sunday 7th October
Open to all anglers under the age of 16 years of age.

Pier & Beach Festival.............................................................Sunday 2nd December - Fishing 11am - 4pm
The Annual Pier and Beach Festival has now been combined with the Christmas Competition, so apart from the 17 Trophies and prizes, the top 20 aggregate weights receive Turkeys and the top 3 win Christmas Hampers together with the optional cash pools. NOT TO BE MISSED!

Beach competitions are run once a month on Wednesdays throughout the year 7pm - 10pm
Pier competitions are also run once a month on Tuesdays throughout the year 6.30pm - 9.30pm.

You can always have a walk around Deal Castle built by Henry VIII and it is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England.  There are plenty of other places to visit in Deal such as the Deal Maritime & Local History Museum, Fowlmead Country Park, or the Timeball Tower Museum.
Wingham Wildlife Park is just up the road between Canterbury and Sandwich.  You can take a virtual tour to see the extensive layout of the park and its facilities.
Deal Timeball Tower is well worth a visit.  The tower reopened Easter of 2004, after a number of years of closure.  It reopened with a series of new displays related to communication, semaphore and signalling also includes interactive displays.