The history of Deal has been shaped by its position on the extreme eastern coastline of Kent. Close to France it was of such significant naval importance that Henry VIII chose to erect a castle here on the concentric circle plan. Revolutionary at the time it is beautifully preserved today. Barracks were established here from 1861. This corps of the British Army was infamously bombed by the IRA in 1989 & the School of Music departed seven years later. Many literary references to Deal refer to its villainous populace which was often associated with smuggling. Today chic cafes shops & holiday cottages reveal an atmosphere of quiet prosperity. Pepys & Cobettes derogatory terms of pitiful & detestable are a world away from modern Deal. Instead as the images collected here show through time the town has become a hidden gem of idyllic existence.