Hastings

In the 19th century Hastings became one of England's many popular spa resorts. Tall Victorian row houses painted in lemony hues still cover the cliffs around the deep blue sea, and the views from the hilltops are extraordinary. The old town, on the east side of the city, offers a glimpse into the city's 16th-century past. Hastings has been through difficult times in recent decades, and the town developed a reputation as a rough place. In 2010, vandals burned down its beautiful Victorian amusement pier, so there are still issues. All visitors may notice, though, is that it's handsome, if tattered, and that the seafront has all the usual English accoutrements—fish-and-chips shops, candy stores, shops selling junk, miniature golf, and rocky beaches that stretch for miles.