Deal, Kent
With eye-stretching views over Deal Beach to the sea, The Boatman’s Reading Rooms is a charming, spacious yet cosy escape, thoughtfully restored and redesigned by Quince to bathe you in sunlight by day. At night, turn to bubble-bathing under the stars outside in your own secluded copper bathtub.
Relaxation awaits.
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Once upon a time, the original owner, a certain Mrs Wollaston, established a library here that became a place of rest and restoration from the stormy seas. A literary lighthouse for sailors, shipwrecked seafarers and – who knows – perhaps even the odd pirate. To this day, Mrs Wollaston’s fine tradition lives on. Weary travellers find their very own bright, sunshiny days in her sanctuary by the sea. The Boatman’s Reading Rooms is still nestled amongst colourful Georgian buildings and fishing boats, all within a few briny steps of beaches, vibrant huts, local seafood restaurants and traditional pubs.
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The Boatman’s Reading rooms sleep 10 guests (and a hound too) in four stylish bedrooms, with only comfort and the sound of the sea as easy bed fellows. Simply relax knowing the mattresses are the highest spec, made in Ipswich, and mattress toppers are layered above.
Large bay windows from 4 of the rooms invite the ocean inside, as kaleidoscopic light dances across the rooms. You’ll indulge in luxury and local flavour filling the house, from the soft touches of Wills and Yates specialist furnishings decorating the bay windows and benches, to the stunning wall art from Mileage.
The custom-made-for-foodies kitchen is a veritable gourmet’s galley, and today’s modern Reading Rooms will surprise you with quirky Quince touches of love throughout. How about an outdoor copper bathtub for star-bathing, a sun terrace for sunbathing, or Nicholas Nickleby’s prose on the walls?
And when laid-back, low-impact living is just as important for you, we encourage leaving the cars in your carport and venturing out by foot.
Finer Details:
Bedroom 1 – (sleeps 4) super king size bed, double sofa bed
Bathroom 1 – claw footed bath in bedroom, basin separate wc
Bedroom 2 – (sleeps 2) twin beds, sea views, window seat
Bedroom 3 – (sleeps 2) twin beds, sea views, window seat
Shower room 1 – walk in shower, basin and wc
Bedroom 4 – (sleeps 2) king size bed, sea views, window seat
Shower room 2 – walk in shower, basin and wc
Sitting room – window seat, electric log burner and sea views.
Kitchen/breakfast room – sea views, seating for 10, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, two ovens, electric hob, food processor, nespresso coffee machine, door to roof terrace with sea views
Utility room – washing machine, dryer and sink.
Internet – fast Wi-Fi with download speeds around 36Mbps.
Outside – first floor roof terrace with soft seating and table, ground floor courtyard, outside bath house with tin bath, lights and heating, carport with parking for 2 cars, electric car charger.
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From the comfort of your window seat at The Boatman's Reading Rooms, you can gaze upon the fishing boats and beach huts, enjoy the brass band playing in the Victorian bandstand, watch the kids play on the lawn outside… or simply meditate upon the hypnotic meeting of the North Sea and the English Channel.
Just a few steps from the enchanting view, you can stroll down the wide promenade to experience the age-old culture of local life in the quintessentially English town of Deal. It is one of the quirkiest, coolest beach towns on the UK’s South East Coast. Vintage stores, fishmongers and indie shops make their home in pastel-coloured Georgian buildings by the sea. And for a spot of exercise, walk, cycle or jog to the fine Tudor defences of Deal Castle, built by Henry VIII.
This is our favourite pastime – grab a book and a towel and there it is, a few paces from the house. With miles of beach to enjoy, the town is surrounded by the sea with wonderful walks in both directions. It’s 2 minutes’ walk from the Boatman’s Reading Rooms. If you turn right, you’ll head for the picturesque village of Kingsdown with its tip top pub The Zetland Arms (booking’s essential) and onwards to the White Cliffs. We love it in winter too, when the path is empty, the wind is fresh and the pub fire welcomes you.
A classic day out for us would have to feature a visit to an English castle. Within walking distance are Deal Castle and the beautiful Walmer Castle with its stunning newly opened gardens. Deal Castle was built by the order of King Henry VIII it is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in a chain of coastal forts. With its distinctive round battlements and drawbridge, there’s a whole world of history at your fingertips. At Walmer Castle learn about the Duke of Wellington in his role as Lord Warden, and explore the wonderful gardens so loved by The Queen Mother who stayed there many times.
Deal is home to interesting one-off shops too, even window shopping is fun. Wills and Yates is a home store plus gallery with fabulous textiles, books, artwork and more – a place we always visit. Dunlin and Diver is another of our favourite shops, from Moroccan slippers to contemporary ceramics, a great place to find a present. If you have young children, visit Whippersnappers in the High Street, trendy togs for the youngsters. For upcycled and new furniture, home ware and gifts, we recommend Smoke on the Water in Victoria Street. And there are so many other great individual shops.
A 15-minute coastal drive will take you to Dover Castle, set high on the hill overlooking the town and the crashing waves of the sea. Above ground there’s the majestical castle and mediaeval keep, underground there are miles of secret WWll tunnels dug out of the chalk cliffs. As a military command centre with a hospital to treat the wounded.
South Foreland Lighthouse is a Victorian lighthouse on the South Foreland in St. Margaret's Bay, Dover, Kent. It was used to warn ships approaching the nearby Goodwin Sands. It was built in 1843 but went out of service in 1988 and is currently owned by the National Trust. It's a great place to visit and you feel on top of the world a great day with all the family.
The Deal Time Ball is a Victorian maritime Greenwich Mean Time signal located on Deal seafront. Established in 1855 the time ball, just like the Greenwich time ball fell at 1pm precisely, triggered by an electric signal directly from the Royal Observatory. Definitely worth a visit and has great views out to sea from the top!
The Boatman’s Reading Rooms is within easy walking distance of the shops, pubs, restaurants and all the center of Deal has to offer.
I am afraid there isnt a BBQ at the house because its not possible to have one on the roof terrace for safety reasons. However with a park and the beach opposite theres lots of opportunities to have a BBQ close by.
There is a carport with space for two cars.
There is an electric car charger in the carport for your use.
The Boatman’s Reading Rooms is a Victorian house on three floors, we suggest you look at the floorplans as that details where everything is to see if it would suit you and your party. If you prefer please call us and we will talk you through the layout and its suitability for you.
Beautiful house in the perfect location! We loved the walks and and being so close to the town centre! Most amazing sunset from the living room! Will definitely be back.
Deal is a real gem!
Francois March 21
Really stylish house, very comfortable andA well equipped. Pier Restaurant is excellent and a short walk away, cafe and fish and chips only a few yards down the street. Superb sea views and a relaxed vibe.
Chris August 21
This is a beautiful, spotlessly clean house in a great location right by the sea, five minutes walk from the centre of Deal. Would definitely recommend.
James August 21
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