Deal Castle by Vaughan Blundell
Deal Castle
Deal Castle is a coastal artillery fort built by order of King Henry VIII between 1539 and 1540. It stands on the seafront of Deal in Kent and was part of a chain of defensive forts known as the “Device Forts,” constructed to protect England from possible invasion by France or the Holy Roman Empire.
The castle is notable for its unique concentric design, with a central circular keep surrounded by six large bastions, forming a shape similar to a Tudor rose. This design allowed for heavy artillery coverage from all angles, with over 140 gun positions originally planned.
Deal Castle saw action during the English Civil War and was updated for military use during later conflicts, including the Second World War when it was damaged by bombing and used for coastal defence. Despite this, much of the original Tudor structure remains intact.
Today, the castle is managed by English Heritage and open to visitors. You can explore its low, thick-walled passages, climb to the roof for sea views, and learn about its role in England’s changing military history.
Created: 19 June 2025 Edited: 19 June 2025
Deal Castle
Deal Castle LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Deal Castle
There are some historic monuments around including:
Sandown CastleSandwich town walls: section from Woodnesborough Gate to Canterbury GateSandwich town walls: section at NW corner (150ft long)Site of medieval port, StonarFour ring ditches on ridge of Sutton HillSandwich town walls: site of the Round HouseSandwich town walls: section from New Gate to Woodnesborough GateSt Nicholas' Church, OxneyTwo enclosures 400yds (360m) NE of Mill House SchoolGreat Mongeham Anglo-Saxon cemeterySandwich town walls: section extending 40yds (36m) on N side of Strand StreetSandwich town walls: section incorporated in the old East Kent Brewery (35ft long)Romano-Celtic temple and Iron Age site S of WorthThe Fisher GateTwo bowl barrows on Free Down, 550m south of Hill FarmArtillery castle at WalmerArtillery castle at DealMedieval manor house, WalmerSandwich town walls: section from a point E of gasworks to site of New Gate (including The Bulwark and Mill Wall).
