Blofield is a village and civil parish in the Broadland district of the English county of Norfolk. The parish includes the village of Blofield and the hamlets of Blofield Heath and Blofield Corner.
Blofield is located five miles (8km) east of Norwich and 14 miles (23km) west of Great Yarmouth.
History
Blofield's name is of either Anglo-Saxon or Viking origin and derives from either from the Old English for 'a blue field' or from the Old Norse for 'an exposed field.'[1]
Blofield is listed in the Domesday Book as a settlement of 61 households in the hundred of Blofield. In 1086, the village was divided between the estates of William, Bishop of Thetford and Ralph de Beaufour.[2]
There are two 17th century barns in Blofield: Church Farm Barn on Church Road[3] and Manor Farm Barn on Yarmouth Road.[4]
In the 18th century, Blofield was a centre for brick making[5] and the manufacturing of tiles.[6]
There are numerous historic, listed cottages in Blofield. These include the 18th century "Little Timbers" on Danesblower Lane,[7] 'Beech House' on Church Road,[8] "Owls Barn House" on Lingwood Road.[9] As well as the 19th century "The Rookery" on Church Road,[10] 'Turrett House' on Yarmouth Road,[11] 'Hollybank' on Yarmouth Road,[12] 'The White House' on North Street[13] and Blofield Court House, built in 1905.[14]
Geography
Blofield is bracketed by the courses of the River Bure to the north and the River Yare to the south. Though it no longer runs directly through the village, the A47, between Birmingham and Lowestoft, still runs through the parish.
According to the 2021 census, Blofield parish has a total population of 4,087 people which demonstrates a steep increase from the 3,316 people listed in the 2011 census.[15]
Church of St. Andrew and St. Peter
Blofield's parish church is dedicated to Saint Andrew and Saint Peter, and was constructed in the 14th century.[16] The church has one of the largest towers in Norfolk and was significantly remodelled in the 19th and 20th centuries; despite this an ornate, carved font survives dating from the 15th century. There is a stained-glass memorial to Margaret Gordon Harker designed by Clayton and Bell with further designs by Hardman & Co., J. & J. King, Kempe & Co. and Ward and Hughes.[17] The Church of St. Andrew and St. Peter has been Grade I listed since 1962.[18]
Amenities
Village amenities include the recently reopened and refurbished 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 and social facilities are also provided by Margaret Harker Hall and Blofield Court House constitute the meeting place for a number of village groups; these include 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. The Court House also hosts regular film shows showing recent releases, usually on the first or second Friday of every month.
Blofield Heath has one Indian restaurant, The Tamarind, and a post office/convenience store. Heathlands Community Centre is a focal point for social activities. The village has a primary school, Hemblington County Primary. A pre-school playgroup also operates from Heathlands.
Transport
Blofield is served by the no. 15 Green Line bus route to Brundall, Norwich, Wymondham and Silfield; it is operated by First Eastern Counties. Buses operate hourly during the day; there is no service in the evenings, but there is a limited service as far as Norwich on Sundays.[19]
Blofield has a tennis club founded in May 1924, with three grass courts and two hard court open to members. Tennis coaching and courses run by LTA licensed coaches for adults and juniors. Open club sessions and teams in mens, ladies and mixed leagues.
Norwich United, who play in the Anglian Combination Premier Division. Their home ground is at Plantation Park, just outside the village centre but within the parish.
Blofield United, who play in the Anglian Combination First Division. Their home ground at the Margaret Harker Hall playing field in the centre of the village.[21]
Blofield's war memorial is located in the Churchyard of St. Andrew and St. Peter. It takes the form of a granite cross and was erected in 1920.[23] The memorial lists the following 32 men for the First World War:[24]
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