Deal Indoor Tennis Centre

If you've got a tennis racket in the caravan and the Kent weather's being miserable, Deal Indoor Tennis Centre is your answer. It's a proper working sports facility with indoor courts - the sort of place locals actually use rather than a tourist attraction, which means no queues and genuine tennis standards on offer.

You can book court time by the hour for singles or doubles play. It's straightforward stuff: turn up, play, leave. The centre caters mainly to serious players and clubs, so don't expect entertainment if you're not actually keen on tennis. Parents sometimes drop kids off for coaching sessions while they grab a coffee in Deal town centre, which is minutes away.

Costs vary depending on peak and off-peak slots - worth ringing ahead to confirm current prices and availability, as opening hours can shift seasonally. Allow an hour plus changeover time if you're booking a court.

For a family holiday at one of the nearby parks - Kingsdown Camping is closest at 2.5 miles, while Hawthorn Farm and Sandwich Leisure options are within 5 miles - this works best if someone in your group actually plays. Deal itself has a seafront, castle ruins, and proper fish and chips shops if you'd rather spend the afternoon somewhere drier. The indoor centre is genuinely useful on a rainy day, but only if tennis appeals. Otherwise, save your time for the beaches and coastal walks Deal does brilliantly.