Woking, United Kingdom

This small English town 30 miles from London boasts what's claimed to be the UK's first purpose-built mosque, but don't expect grand architectural splendor - the "extraordinarily dignified" Shah Jahan Mosque dates back to 1889. While it once attracted royalty and famous British converts, these days the mosque sees relatively few visitors beyond the local immigrant community. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the mosque's tumultuous ownership changes and power struggles over the decades. And if you're unlucky, you might even get caught in the occasional flood that damages local landmarks. Overall, Woking seems best suited for religious scholars, history buffs, and those seeking a quiet, unassuming commuter town on the outskirts of the capital.