Situated on the south-east coast of Kent, the picturesque twin towns of Deal and Walmer attract many visitors due to their location and extensive history that spans the centuries. Both have a rich military and maritime heritage, notably with their links to the historic Cinque Ports. Deal rose to become one of the busiest ports in England and possessed its own thriving Navy Yard to service warships at anchor in the famous Downs anchorage. The coastline's strategic importance led to Henry VIII ordering the building of defensive fortresses in both towns, while notable figures such as Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington have strong connections to the area. In Secret Deal & Walmer local author Gregory Holyoake explores the history of both towns and delves beneath the surface to seek out some lesser-known stories and hidden aspects of their heritage. His engaging exploration uncovers intriguing facts, interesting buildings, surprising tales and the prominent people and colourful characters with links to this corner of Kent. Different chapters focus on subjects including churches and chapels, murder, mystery and mayhem, entertainment and sport, castles and - as you would expect - smuggling. Discover Deal's links with the Royal Marines, its curious Timeball Tower, the Duke of Wellington's residency at Walmer Castle and much more. Illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to residents, visitors and anyone interested in the history of these fascinating twin towns.

About the Author
Gregory Holyoake is a professional author, actor and schoolteacher who lives in Deal, Kent. He has been a photo-journalist for over fifty years and his work has appeared regularly in publications including 'Country Life', 'Country Homes and Interiors', 'Illustrated London News', 'Heritage', 'This England', 'The Lady', 'The Observer' and 'Evening Standard' magazine. Formerly he was chief photo-journalist for the county magazine 'Kent Life'. Liz is a local history photographer.


Book Information
ISBN 9781398104129
Author Gregory Holyoake
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 303g