Lerwick, on Scotland's Shetland Islands, is frequently called "Little Norway" because of its deep connections with Scandinavia, and it offers an ideal winter escape for those seeking Norwegian-style landscapes without leaving the UK.
The town belonged to the Kingdom of Norway until 1469, and its name translates to "bay of clay" in Norwegian. During World War 2, Lerwick served as an operational base for the "Shetland bus - Little Norway" operation, when small Norwegian fishing boats reached the settlement to carry out undercover missions and evacuate refugees from Nazi-controlled Norway.
Scandinavian Architecture and Scenery
The settlement closely resembles Norwegian coastal towns, featuring characteristic Scandinavian design and red timber-framed houses. Visitors have noted the similarity, with some saying on Facebook that "the landscape looks much more like Norway than Scotland".
One Tripadvisor reviewer described Lerwick as having "numerous fascinating buildings including old warehouses which go right down to the edge of the water". Another commented that Shetland is "a fantastic set of islands with wonderful scenery", while a third added: "Shetland is wonderful. It's all about scenery. Along with Orkney, it has a completely different feel to the rest of Scotland with its Norse heritage. (They both belonged to Norway until 1472.) The Shetland Museum in Lerwick is excellent."
A Thriving High Street
The town has a vibrant high street filled with cosy cafes and independent shops and businesses, and it was recently named one of Scotland's "most beautiful high streets".
According to Shetland's official website, the town offers plenty to see and do and is ideal for exploring on foot. The site states: "Lerwick is a stunning town full of history and beautiful buildings, all telling a story. Some of the most interesting buildings are the Lodberries overlooking Lerwick Harbour."
It adds: "Lerwick offers many opportunities for beautiful walks, exploring fascinating historical attractions and enjoying fun family activities."
Other UK destinations that resemble famous European locations include Clacton-on-Sea, often referred to as "Little Spain", and Lynmouth, known as "Little Switzerland" for its landscape.
