Official Visitor Website

Hingham

‘Little London’ is the nickname for this charming Norfolk town, with a family connection to Abraham Lincoln

Stand on the Green in Hingham in Norfolk and whichever way you look, you’ll see glorious Georgian townhouses, all different, but all beautiful. In the 1700s many London socialites came here and built these houses which are unusually fine for a small country town, which is why Hingham came by the nickname of Little London.

Abraham Lincoln memorial, St Andrews Church Hingham

The Lincoln Memorial in Hingham.

There are lovely independent shops and places to eat including an atmospheric pub, where you can stay as well, and tearooms for a full-on afternoon tea or brunch. The incredible salvage shop is a treasure trove of one-off pieces and it will inspire you to restyle your home and garden.

The connection with one of America’s most iconic Presidents started with the Lincolns who travelled to America and helped to settle the town of Hingham in Massachusetts. Samuel Lincoln, who sailed as a weaver’s apprentice, is the man who is the direct ancestor of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America. In St Andrew’s Church you’ll find the bust of Lincoln which was gifted by the people of the younger Hingham in 1919.

It’s worth visiting the Church for its fine mediaeval windows and looking out for the regular Paws for Coffee events when dogs are just as welcome as their owners. Then it’s only a short drive down peaceful and mostly empty lanes to Melsop Rare Breeds Farm Park where you can have a fun time meeting a multitude of animals, including Albion cattle and Ouessant sheep, the smallest sheep breed in the world.

Visit Hingham, and you’ll find you’re in Little London.