Go to Rye --it's absolutely fabulous. Whatever you do, don't go there without having a cream tea at The Peacock (wonderful place). In general, avoid Hastings --when I was there last it was traffic-ridden and rather depressing. Besides, it's more of a town than a village, and unlike Rye, which is also sizeable, you really feel it. One more tip --the view from the top of Rye church tower on a sunny day is idyllic. Take a camera with some film in it. I hope you're not scared of heights?

Cheers,

Isabel