Hastings, on the south coast of East Sussex, is the most easterly of a string of typical English seaside towns in this county (St Leonard's, Bexhill on Sea, Pevensey Bay run along the coast to the west as far as Eastbourne).  Hastings has some lovely elegant Regency style houses (especially facing Alexandra Park which runs down through the valley leading to the old part of the town), which date back to the town's popularity as a sea-bathing resort in the 1760s.  We particularly liked the fishing beach at the far eastern end of the old town, below the ruins of Hastings Castle and East Hill cliff with its funicular railway.  Fishing boats are still hauled up on the shingle beach (it is the largest beach based fishing fleet in Europe), and stalls sell fresh fish and seafood amongst the old 'net shops'.  If you visit, don't miss the Fishermens Museum!

But Hastings' main claim to fame is that it was close to the landing place of William the Conqueror's army of Normans - who famously claimed the English throne following the Battle of Hastings back in 1066 - where Harold got shot in the eye!

You can read more about the history of Hastings on Wikipedia