Late Summer weekend getaway Deal

Once a naval stronghold. today the seaside town of Deal has a burgeoning café scene. The Evening Standard 7th September 2011

Starting from the second weekend in September until further notice, why not get away to the Kent coast for a special weekend. Travel highspeed direct to Deal from London St Pancras on Friday night (Depart 17.40pm or 18.40pm) and return back in the capital early Monday morning (Depart from Deal 05.56am, 06.24am or 06.56am).

Stay in a world class B&B like Number One (Travellers Choice 2011 Top 10 B&B in the world), The Royal Hotel which was frequently visited by Lord Nelson or the renowned Dunkerleys Restaurant & Hotel.

Visit Deal Castle one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England or the enchanting Walmer Castle & Gardens which was residence for the Duke of Wellington.

Sample the delights of The Black Douglas Coffee House (Telegraph Best British Cafe with view), the unique Dining Club, Middle Street Fish Bar (The Times Third best fish & chip shop in Britain), 81 Beach Street or The Court Yard Oyster Bar and Restaurant.

Bring your golf clubs as three of the top links courses in England are a stone throw away; Royal St George's, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince's. Don't forget your fishing rod in this mecca for anglers and what better spot than at the end of Deal pier the only new pier to have been built in Britain since the Second World War and it's 2009 RIBA Architect Awarded Cafe.

Browse the quaint boutiques and shops of the High Street (The Sugar Boy, Borough Wines, Poppy Belle) or leisure with Tides at their modern indoor swimming pool with wave machine and brand new tennis centre.

Fancy a traditional pint? The Berry (CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2011), The Kings Head (10th Best seaside Pub in England) or the extremely popular The Bohemian.

Blessed with glorious views across the English Channel the beaches of Deal, Walmer & Kingsdown are great for relaxing or offer a tranquil backdrop whilst exploring by foot / bicycle.

National Rail publish highspeed timetable for Deal (5th Sep)



National Rail enquiries have been updated with the exact timetable specification for the new Deal to St Pancras Southeastern highspeed service.

Highspeed train services for Deal and Sandwich to start a month early (September 5th)

The new Southeastern service will begin on September 5th - thanks to funding from Kent County Council. Services in the morning leave Sandwich at 05:50, 06:18 and 06:50, calling at Deal six minutes later.

In the evening there are two services to Deal and Sandwich, leaving St Pancras International at 17:40 and 18:40.

The new services will operate Monday to Friday and will take around 90 minutes.

Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal said, "This marks the fulfilment of a key pledge to Deal. The service is vital to boosting the local economy. I am delighted that Southeastern has agreed to provide this service and KCC has been able to fund it. We need more jobs and money in Deal and the fast train stopping at Deal is a key part of that."

This is very welcome news that the service is to start early, however this does not complete the fulfilment of improved rail services to Deal and Sandwich. The population of Deal and Sandwich is larger than many Kent towns which already have all day highspeed services.

The economy of East Kent which has the lowest jobs to population ratio in the county needs a full highspeed service to encourage investment particularly into the Pfizer site and for tourism in Deal and Sandwich which is rapidly expanding.

A step in the right direction but not the end game.