Set between the picturesque East and West Hills overlooking the English Channel, Hastings in East Sussex is synonymous with the famous battle of 1066 which saw the last successful invasion of English soil by William the Conqueror.

Think candy-hued fishermen’s huts and a pier that once attracted the likes of The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix

Enjoy ice cream on the promenade, join in the yoga classes or take in the live music and open air film screenings in the summer months.

St Leonards has effectively merged into Hastings these days, and is packed with glorious Regency architecture, galleries and cafes, and a buzzing creative vibe.

Thanks to its proximity to London, Hastings is one of the best-connected seaside resorts in the southeast with direct trains to Charing Cross in under 90 minutes.

Direct rail services are also available to Brighton, Ore, London Victoria, Waterloo East and Gatwick Airport.

Hastings is also well connected by road networks. The A21 connects Hastings to London’s M25 and the A27 and A259 make it easy to reach nearby Brighton within an hour. The A259 towards Ashford will get you to the Eurostar in less than 50 minutes and Dover’s ferry port in just over an hour.