Blofield
Encyclopedia
Blofield is the village and civil parish
in the Broadland
district of Norfolk
, England
. The parish includes Blofield and the hamlets of Blofield Heath and Blofield Corner and, according to the 2001 census
, had a population of 3,221. It is on the A47
, five miles (8 km) east of Norwich
and 14 miles (23 km) west of Great Yarmouth
. Since construction of a bypass in 1982, the A47 no longer passes through the village.
as Blafelda and Blauuefelde, Blofield has a long history. There are a number of theories regarding the origins of its name, which may derive from the Anglo-Saxon for blue Blech or Bleo, blossom Bloo or blow Blowan, along with the word for field Feld. The oldest building in the village is the Parish Church of St Andrew and St Peter, built sometime between 1420 and 1444, http://www.blofield.net/church.htm and largely replacing an earlier Norman structure. Large in size, it reflects the prosperity of the wool trade over this period.
, who play at Plantation Park, just outside the village centre but within the parish. The Margaret Harker Hall and Blofield Court House constitute the meeting place for a number of village groups, such as the Women's Institute (which was formed in 1918, and claims to be the oldest in Norfolk
), Guides, badminton club, slimming groups and playgroup for children of pre-school age. During the day it is served by the hourly 17 bus to Norwich
operated by First Eastern Counties; there is no service in the evenings or on Sundays. The nearest railway station is about a mile away, in the village of Brundall
. Blofield Heath has one public house, The Two Friends, and a post office/convenience store. Heathlands Community Centre is a focal point for social activities and the village also has a primary school, Hemblington County Primary.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the Broadland
Broadland
Broadland is a local government district in Norfolk, England, named after the Norfolk Broads. Its council is based in Thorpe St Andrew, which is a suburb of the City of Norwich.-History:The district was formed on April 1, 1974 by the merger of St...
district of Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The parish includes Blofield and the hamlets of Blofield Heath and Blofield Corner and, according to the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, had a population of 3,221. It is on the A47
A47 road
The A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
, five miles (8 km) east of Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
and 14 miles (23 km) west of Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
. Since construction of a bypass in 1982, the A47 no longer passes through the village.
History
Mentioned in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as Blafelda and Blauuefelde, Blofield has a long history. There are a number of theories regarding the origins of its name, which may derive from the Anglo-Saxon for blue Blech or Bleo, blossom Bloo or blow Blowan, along with the word for field Feld. The oldest building in the village is the Parish Church of St Andrew and St Peter, built sometime between 1420 and 1444, http://www.blofield.net/church.htm and largely replacing an earlier Norman structure. Large in size, it reflects the prosperity of the wool trade over this period.
Blofield today
Village amenities include the Kings Head public house, Blofield County Primary School, a doctors surgery, a library, scout hut, newsagent, post office/convenience store, fish and chip shop, florist, hairdresser, an outdoor leisure and camping store, a farm shop and a solicitor's office. Sporting facilities are provided by a tennis club and by Blofield United F.C., who play in the Anglian Combination Premier Division. The club provides a clubhouse which is open to members up to 3 nights a week. Blofield United Youth FChttp://www.buyfc.org.uk have their home ground at Heathlands, in Blofield Heath. Sporting and social facilities are also provided by Norwich United F.C.Norwich United F.C.
Norwich United F.C. is an English football club based in Blofield, Norfolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Plantation Park.The club is affiliated to the Norfolk County FA.-History:...
, who play at Plantation Park, just outside the village centre but within the parish. The Margaret Harker Hall and Blofield Court House constitute the meeting place for a number of village groups, such as the Women's Institute (which was formed in 1918, and claims to be the oldest in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
), Guides, badminton club, slimming groups and playgroup for children of pre-school age. During the day it is served by the hourly 17 bus to Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
operated by First Eastern Counties; there is no service in the evenings or on Sundays. The nearest railway station is about a mile away, in the village of Brundall
Brundall
Brundall is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is located on the north bank of the River Yare opposite Surlingham Broad and about 7 miles east of the city of Norwich....
. Blofield Heath has one public house, The Two Friends, and a post office/convenience store. Heathlands Community Centre is a focal point for social activities and the village also has a primary school, Hemblington County Primary.