Perfect for the Autumn Heatwave, the UK beach holiday is without the crowds

As the arcade machine sells tickets, I feel like a big kid once more.

Deal is just a trip without a stop at the 2p machine.

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But there’s much more to this historic little town, known for having one of Kent’s best beaches.

Home to not one, but two castles built by Henry VIII — Walmer Castle and Deal Castle — the resort is most popular in the summer with families.

Autumn is the best season to visit because everything is still open and without crowds.

I don’t have to fight schoolkids for the chance to try my arcade skills.

With pennies in my pockets from a huge win, I headed down to the Deal Pier. It dates back to 1838, but was rebuilt over the years following storms.

Prince Philip finally made the pier safe. On a pleasant stroll, I saw fishermen casting lines in hopes of a decent catch.

I spent my hard-earned earnings to purchase a glass of wine at Deal Pier Kitchen. It has amazing views of the sea from the floor-to ceiling windows.

Deal is the ideal place for window-gazing and early Christmas shopping. You will find many independent stores hidden away on cobbled streets lined by pastel-coloured houses.

Mileage and The Hoxton Store are both beautiful shops with lovely interiors. Barkened is the best place for dog lovers to take their dogs to Barkened, which has clothes and gifts in every color.

But when your feet won’t walk any more, the best place to rest up is The Rose, a boutique hotel with more than 200 years of history.

There are only eight rooms in the hotel. Each room is unique and filled with colour. My room featured a massive patterned headboard over my king-size bed against the walls of duck egg blue.

It’s certainly a cosy bolthole from the seaside winds, especially sharp during the autumn, but there are record players and coffee table books to pass the time with.

Make sure to ask the staff about the hotel’s vintage tandem bike – it’s free to rent for guests, so you can have a go (or in my case a wobble) down the street.

You can also order breakfast and lunch at the on-site restaurant.

I’m still wishing I could have their famous crab doughnut every day, although it was followed by a roast beef Sunday lunch so delicious it rivaled even my mum’s.

But if you fancy something else for dinner, there is no shortage of fish and chip shops nearby, perfect if you’ve been out on the beach and need to warm up a bit.

The best place to go on a Sunday is Victuals & Co, just opposite the hotel and rated the best restaurant in Deal.

These are their “Raid the Larder” menu on the last day of the weekend creates meals made out of whatever is left from the food stock at the end of the week, so you’ll be in for a surprise each time you visit.

As the evening drew in I was treated like a friend back at The Rose. A complimentary whisky was offered from the open bar in the hallway. Then, it was time for a luxurious evening in The Rose’s bath.

As the rain started to fall, I was snugly in my cozy bedroom with a drink. An ideal weekend in Deal.