Deal was one of the most important of the Cinque Ports, its long shingle beach once crowded with fishing boats launched directly from the shore. Deal Castle, one of Henry VIII's finest coastal fortresses, sits on the seafront in its distinctive Tudor rose shape. The town has a long maritime history, from smuggling to naval dockyards, explored in the Time Ball Tower museum. The compact town centre offers antique shops, traditional pubs, and independent restaurants along charming streets.