Walmer Castle

The seaside town of Deal, on Kent's east coast, has its own interesting Tudor castle – built, like Walmer, by Henry VIII, and with the same rose shape – but Walmer Castle, a mile's walk south of its sibling along the beach, offers a little more to see and glorious gardens to boot.  Funny we should mention boots ... Walmer Castle, which became in 1708 the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports – a string of coastal settlements afforded advantages and liberties for providing the crown with maritime services – was home to the Duke of Wellington for nearly 25 years. In the appealingly unrestored interior you can see the chair in which he died, set up by a simple camp bed in his library, and, naturally, a pair of boots (which, to be honest, show no resemblance whatsoever to wellies).  Outside, you can bask on the bastions and gaze out to sea, or wander around the eight acres of prettily landscaped gardens, complete with a working kitchen garden and dappled woodland walks.