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From Walmer to Deal: A Brilliant Day by the Sea
I had a really enjoyable day exploring Walmer and Deal, visiting a great mix of pubs, micropubs and independent places along the way. From the cosy maritime feel inside The Freed Man to the friendly atmosphere at Just Reproach and the laid-back character of Smugglers Record Shop, everywhere had its own personality. It was also great to catch up with Tony from Deal CAMRA, Andy and James from The Royston Micropub, John from TrAles of the Unexpected and Paul from Dover, which made the day even more memorable. There was plenty of good conversation, a lot of laughs and some excellent beers throughout the day, making it another cracking trip around the Kent coast.
Deal and neighbouring Walmer have been closely linked for centuries, with both shaped by their position along Kent’s east coast. Deal grew into an important coastal town during Tudor times, as ships regularly anchored in the sheltered waters of the Downs while waiting to travel through the English Channel. Fishing, boat building and smuggling all became part of local life over the years. Walmer developed just to the south and became best known for Walmer Castle, one of a chain of coastal forts built by Henry VIII between 1539 and 1540 to defend against invasion. Today, the two towns still share a strong maritime character and traditional seaside atmosphere.
Walmer
The Freed Man
I started the day in Walmer at The Freed Man Micro-Pub Walmer. The Freed Man opened on Dover Road in Walmer on 23 January 2016, taking over the former Walmer Post Office building. The micropub was created by a former regional brewery licensee whose experiences in the tied pub trade helped shape the idea behind it. After years of working within systems where prices and product choices were heavily controlled, he wanted to create a genuinely independent pub with more freedom and choice. The name “The Freed Man” reflects that idea directly, symbolising independence from the restrictions often linked to larger brewery ownership. Its opening gave the old post office building a completely new role within the community.
Inside feels packed with maritime character and personal touches. Wooden walls are covered with old naval plaques, maps, mirrors and coastal memorabilia, while the ceiling is almost completely filled with pump clips collected over the years. Seating is close together around sturdy wooden tables, giving the small space a warm, sociable feel. Large front windows bring in plenty of light during the day, balancing the darker wood interior. Behind the bar sits the rare Victorian beer engine, still in regular use and adding to the pub’s old-fashioned charm. Everywhere you look there’s something different hanging on the walls, making it feel more like a collector’s seaside den than a modern bar.
A great selection on the bar of 4 cask ales, alongside a few keg options and a range of bottles to choose from. A nice choice. I went for The Ordinary Bitter by Anspach & Hobday, a classic bitter with biscuit malt flavour and a smooth, balanced finish.
Deal
The Ship Inn
Heading into Deal our first visit was to The Ship Inn.. The Ship Inn on Middle Street is one of Deal’s old seafront-area pubs and is Grade II listed, with the building officially listed in 1949. Records show the pub traded as the Seagull between 1857 and 1865, before becoming known as the Ship Inn. Its name fits Deal’s long maritime past, with Middle Street sitting close to the beach and once home to sailors, fishermen and boatmen. The pub also appears in local stories linked to the 1876 sinking of the steamship Strathclyde, when survivors were reportedly taken in by Deal pubs. Today, it remains a traditional local.
Inside feels every bit the traditional old coastal pub, with smaller rooms, low ceilings and a layout that still reflects the age of the building. Dark wood furniture, red seating and worn carpet give the rooms a comfortable, lived-in feel, while maritime paintings, naval plaques and old local notices cover the walls. One room centres around a brick fireplace with a stove, while another has an upright piano beside tall sash windows that bring plenty of natural light into the space during the day. Lighting stays soft and warm throughout, helped by old-style fittings and darker corners. Outside, a sheltered courtyard garden provides extra seating tucked away behind the pub.
5 cask ales were available on the bar (one changed whilst we were there), alongside a selection of keg options. I went for No 5 by Gadds’ The Ramsgate Brewery, a golden ale with light citrus hop notes and a clean, crisp finish.
Just Reproach
A short walk down the road in Deal brought us onto The Just Reproach – Deal’s Micropub. Just Reproach opened on King Street in December 2011 as Deal’s micropub, created from a former shop unit. Run by a father-and-daughter team, it followed the early micropub idea closely, stripping things back to conversation and community rather than entertainment. There are no televisions, gaming machines or loud music, with the focus instead placed on table service and people talking together. The pub’s unusual name comes from old coastal language linked to the Kent shoreline and storms at sea. It quickly became part of Deal’s growing micropub scene, helping establish the town as one of Kent’s best-known centres for independent pubs.
The pub’s name comes from a poem by Defoe titled ‘The Storm’ (1703), where he makes some not-so-kind comments about the town
If I had any Satire left to write.
Could I with suited spleen indite,
My verse should blast that fatal town,
And drown’d sailors’ widows pull it down;
No footsteps of it should appear,
And ships no more cast anchor there.
The barbarous hated name of Deal should die,
Or be a term of infamy;
And till that’s done, the town will stand
A just reproach to all the land.
Inside keeps the compact, conversation-focused feel of an early micropub, but with plenty of quirky character packed into the space. Wooden tables and bench seating are arranged closely together, while casks stacked beneath some of the tables add to the pub’s beer-focused feel. The walls and ceiling are covered with old T-shirts, brewery signs, street signs and unusual memorabilia, giving the room a slightly chaotic but welcoming feel without seeming crowded. Handwritten beer boards sit above the serving area, while strings of lights and framed local items add warmth around the room. Overall, it feels friendly, lived-in and full of personality, with the kind of atmosphere that encourages people to stay for another pint and a chat.
A great warm welcome as always from Bronwen. On the bar a fantastic line up of 5 cask ales to choose from, alongside ciders and other options. I went for The Miller’s Ale by The Canterbury Ales, a traditional bitter with gentle malt flavour and a smooth, easy finish.
Smugglers Record Shop
Last up in Deal was to Smugglers Record Shop. Smugglers Record Shop opened on King Street in Deal in 2015, bringing together a record shop and bar in one space. It grew out of Smugglers Records, a label that began in 2005 following a series of chance meetings in the town. Early events known as “The Smugglers Sessions,” held in a local pub, helped shape its identity before the move into a permanent home. The shop combines vinyl sales with a social space, reflecting Deal’s strong independent spirit. Over time, it has become part of the town’s creative scene, linking music, community and a more relaxed, informal pub setting.
Inside feels more like a well-loved independent music space than a traditional bar. Vinyl racks and record crates fill almost every corner, with albums displayed across the walls beneath layers of gig posters, artwork and handwritten signs. The small bar sits tucked into one side of the room, surrounded by shelves of glasses, beer fridges and more records waiting to be browsed. Strings of warm lights hang overhead, giving the space a relaxed, slightly homemade feel. Seating is modest and mixed in among the records, so browsing and having a drink naturally blend together. Overall, it feels creative, informal and deeply rooted in music culture.
One cask ales served directly from the cask was on the bar along with a fridge packed full of cans and bottles to enjoy. I went for Base Camp by Bristol Beer Factory, a pale ale with bright citrus hop notes and a fresh, punchy finish.
Micropub Adventures 