Rockingham County · Seacoast

North Hampton

Little Boar's Head Historic District & Fuller Gardens by the Sea

Part of the Hampton area

About North Hampton

North Hampton is a Seacoast town where ocean-view estates line the shore and Fuller Gardens blooms with roses, tulips, and a Japanese garden that draws visitors from across New England. Little Boar's Head, a fashionable seaside promontory since the 19th century, contains elegant Victorian and Edwardian architecture and five National Register listings. North Hampton State Beach offers a family-friendly stretch of sand with lifeguards and parking, while the dedicated local surf culture keeps the breaks busy year-round. First settled in 1639, this is one of the oldest communities in the state, and Centennial Hall, the Town Hall, and the historic library anchor a civic center with real gravitas. Summer bandstand concerts, fall golf tournaments, and a winter festival with a chili cook-off keep the community calendar full. With about 4,500 residents, North Hampton balances coastal elegance with genuine neighborliness.

Why North Hampton?

North Hampton State Beach and Little Boar's Head oceanfront
Fuller Gardens — public botanical garden with roses and Japanese garden
Five National Register historic sites including Little Boar's Head district
Top-performing North Hampton School (PK-8)
Easy access to Hampton, Portsmouth, and I-95

Quick Facts

Population

4,957

County

Rockingham

Region

Seacoast

School District

SAU 21

Weather in North Hampton

49°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

50 / 31

Sun

52 / 37

Mon

53 / 39

Map

Living in North Hampton

What you need to know about making North Hampton your home.

Major Employers

North Hampton SchoolTown of North HamptonTSI Group Inc.Fuller Gardens

Schools & Education

North Hampton School consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in New Hampshire; high schoolers attend Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, a well-regarded cooperative school.

Cost of Living

Oceanfront and ocean-view properties push prices well above the state median, but inland homes are more accessible; the moderate tax rate and no sales tax help offset costs.

Real Estate

$750,000 median home price

$12.80 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in North Hampton

Commute Times

55 min

Boston

15 min

Exeter

5 min

Hampton

50 min

Manchester

15 min

Portsmouth

School District

Cooperative district

Hampton School District(SAU 21)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Hampton.

North Hampton serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

District towns

Hampton Hampton Falls Seabrook South Hampton

North Hampton School

PK-8Elementary

Winnacunnet High SchoolWarriors

9-12High School

Hidden Gems in North Hampton

Beyond the well-known attractions, North Hampton has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Little Boar's Head Seaside Trail

year-round

This scenic coastal trail stretches 1.5 miles along Ocean Boulevard, featuring weathered fish houses dating to 1804, a continuously maintained garden since the 1930s by the local Garden Club, and perfect spots to watch sunrises and moonrises over the Atlantic. The path starts paved but becomes gravel and stone, with benches for ocean contemplation and occasional seal sightings. Locals treasure this walk for its changing moods - from morning fog to brilliant sunsets.

Center Cemetery on Post Road

year-round

This active cemetery holds centuries of North Hampton history, with gravestones dating to the 1600s including Deacon John Dearborn from 1666. The weathered slate stones tell stories of Revolutionary War veterans, early ministers, and founding families with wonderfully archaic inscriptions like 'Here lyes enterrd ye body...' Local students have been documenting the stones to preserve their messages before time erases them completely.

Union Chapel by the Sea

summer

This intimate Gothic Revival chapel from 1877 sits like a miniature English country church between Fuller Gardens and the ocean. Built for just $300, it hosts interdenominational summer services and features stunning stained glass windows, possibly including Tiffany work. The chapel operates only in summer months, creating an air of seasonal mystery that makes discovering it feel like finding a hidden sanctuary.