The Royal Marines Heritage Trail
The Depot Royal Marines, Deal put 554,554 recruits through basic training over the period 1861-1977. Although the Depot was disbanded in 1977, the Barracks remained the home of the Royal Marines School of Music until final closure on 29th March 1996. Our trail traces the indelible marks the Royal Marines have left behind.
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 | Deal Castle
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 | East Barracks
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 | Royal Buildings and Workshops
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 | Royal Marines Swimming Bath
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 | North Barracks
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 | Infirmary Barracks
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 | North Barracks Graves
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 | North Barracks Residents Memorial
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 | North Barracks Parade Ground and Layout
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 | The Royal Marines Globe Theatre
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 | Depot Church of St Michael and All Angels
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 | The Drill Field
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 | South Barracks Bandstand
Site of the Prisoners’ Guardroom, and the Shifting Room and Magazine for handling munitions |
 | The Jubilee Gates and South Barracks
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 | The Drum Major Public House
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 | The Fair Maid of Kent Hotel
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 | Cavalry Gates to South Barracks
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 | The Royal Marines Band Service, Memorial Garden
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 | 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines Tribute
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 | The Royal Marines Association
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 | The Deal Memorial Bandstand
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 | Beach Training Area and Boat Enclosure
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 | The Union Club
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In 1665 the Captain of Deal Castle brought the Yellow Company to Deal starting our RM connection
These Barracks, formerly known as the Hospital Barracks, were also the HQ of the RM School of Music
Instrument repairs, uniform tailoring and the homes of the Depot and Second Commandant
This 1892 tidal pool was predominantly used to teach swimming. Converted to a heated pool last century
Site of the Depot Post Office, Guardroom and Gaol
Site of the Infirmary Barracks that took over from the Hospital Barracks in 1900
Numerous military headstones, many from the Royal Marine Light Infantry
Commemorates the 350th birthday of the Corps & as a tribute to the eleven musicians murdered in 1989
Used for drill, training and other activities such as the public Trooping the Colour
A theatre seating 400 used for film, concerts and the famous annual pantomime
Consecrated in 1907 and used as both a school during the week and a Church on Sundays
Used for rigorous training, horseback parades and was the site of the inspection by King George V in 1918
Installed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and entrance to the iconic Officers' Mess South Barracks
Named after Senior Drum Major Colour Sergeant Charles H. Bowden BEM who served for over 22 years
The WRNS, or Marens, were billeted here in 1939 and played many support roles for the RM
Built in 1794 to house the York Rangers during the war with France that started in 1793
Built to honour the 11 members of the Royal Marines Band Service that were murdered in September 1989
Location of the floral wreath left by 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines 5 days after the 1989 attack
The RMA was opened by a group of former Royal Marines in 1909 and known as the “Old Comrades Association”
Erected to remember the 11 musicians who died in 1989 and site of the ongoing Memorial Concerts
Site of extensive beach training and enclosure for the Commandant's Galley
Used to accommodate visiting families, friends and guests of the officers at the Depot
Make sure you look out for the twenty-three bronze Trail Markers embedded into the footpath as you follow the Royal Marines Heritage Trail
The lion at the top of the Royal Marines Globe and Laurel points in the direction of travel. To follow the trail – follow the lion!
Get your copy of the Trail Guide
Our trail guide is a free booklet that can be found in many establishments throughout Deal and Walmer. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the booklet.
Download the Trail Guide (PDF)