About the town » Hingham, Norfolk, England, Great Britain

Hingham is a market town and civil parish in the Forehoe district in the heart of rural Norfolk, in England. The civil parish covers an area of 14.98 km and had a population of 2,078 in 944 households as of the 2001 census. Grand architecture surrounds the market place and village green. In the 18th century, when the socialites of high society built houses and took residence in Hingham, it became fashionably known as "Little London". Hingham is 17 miles from Norwich, Norfolk’s county town. While many Hingham people now work in Norwich, commuting by car or bus, the town has maintained a strong base, providing work in a wide range of commercial businesses in its industrial estate on Ironside Way. A major employer in the parish is E. F. Shingfield & Sons, agricultural suppliers. Several other firms provide a variety of services to agriculture and industry. The many and varied local shops have the special character of a small market town but are up-to-date in what they provide. Despite the influence and attractions of neighbouring Norwich, an active and independent town life continues to thrive and grow in Hingham. A fair visits every year, setting up on the historic Fairlands (an area of several triangular greens). There is a state-run village school, providing education for children from the ages of 4-11. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of South Norfolk. The nearest railway stations are Wymondham and Attleborough. Both stations are on the Breckland Line.