Deal Castle is a striking example of one of a series of forts built by Henry VIII in the shape of the Tudor rose with six petals. There is a similar property at Walmer, just down the coast, which is the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. There also used to be yet another, Sandown Castle, at the North end of Deal, on the shore close to where the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club now stands. The forts were built at a time when Henry had turned his back on the Catholic religion and believed he needed defence from the possible intrusions of other European powers that remained faithful to Rome.

Despite the seemingly flamboyant construction, a visit to the Castle quickly underscores the functional purpose of the building. The walls are thick, the interior is stark and the arrangement of the walls allow for extensive defensive cross-fire. When originally built the fort carried 119 guns and had a wide view along the coast and out across the Goodwins.

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