Methwold
Encyclopedia
Methwold is a civil parish
in the English county of Norfolk
, on the edge of the Norfolk
Fens and Breckland
s
It covers an area of 49.12 km² (19 sq mi) and had a population of 1,476 in 591 households as of the 2001 census
. For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
.
The parish also includes the hamlets of Methwold Hythe, approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) east of the town and on the edge of the fens, and Brookville to the north west.
Its economy is based on agriculture with a little light industry. The village is situated about 20 miles (32.2 km) from King's Lynn
and 15 miles (24.1 km) north west of Thetford
(its postal town).
Methwold parish is the second largest parish in Norfolk in terms of land. The parish currently has approximately 20 farms ranging from about 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) up to 1000 acres (4 km²). Farming in Methwold and the surrounding areas accounts for a vast majority of jobs in the fens. Even if people don't farm, much of the work is connected with the land.
According to John Marius Wilson, Methwold can technically be classed as market town following its market charter granted by King Charles I of England
during a brief visit.
Methwold became famous for its abundance and excellence of it's rabbits which were sold by poulterers as "Muel Rabbits". A meal of Muel Rabbits was reputed to have pleased Charles I to such an extent that he granted the village a charter for the market to be held.
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 English county 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...
, on the edge of the 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...
Fens and Breckland
Breckland
The Breckland as a landscape region is an unusual natural habitat of England. It comprises the gorse-covered sandy heath that exists in the north of the county of Suffolk and the south of Norfolk. An area of considerable interest for its unusual flora and fauna, it lies to the south east of another...
s
It covers an area of 49.12 km² (19 sq mi) and had a population of 1,476 in 591 households as of 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....
. For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk is a local government district and borough in Norfolk, England. Its council is based in the town of King's Lynn.-History:...
.
The parish also includes the hamlets of Methwold Hythe, approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) east of the town and on the edge of the fens, and Brookville to the north west.
Its economy is based on agriculture with a little light industry. The village is situated about 20 miles (32.2 km) from King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
and 15 miles (24.1 km) north west of Thetford
Thetford
Thetford is a market town and civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. It is on the A11 road between Norwich and London, just south of Thetford Forest. The civil parish, covering an area of , has a population of 21,588.-History:...
(its postal town).
Methwold parish is the second largest parish in Norfolk in terms of land. The parish currently has approximately 20 farms ranging from about 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) up to 1000 acres (4 km²). Farming in Methwold and the surrounding areas accounts for a vast majority of jobs in the fens. Even if people don't farm, much of the work is connected with the land.
According to John Marius Wilson, Methwold can technically be classed as market town following its market charter granted by King Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
during a brief visit.
Methwold became famous for its abundance and excellence of it's rabbits which were sold by poulterers as "Muel Rabbits". A meal of Muel Rabbits was reputed to have pleased Charles I to such an extent that he granted the village a charter for the market to be held.
Notable residents
- William ThoroldWilliam ThoroldWilliam Thorold was an eminent 19th-century millwright, architect and civil engineer in Norwich, Norfolk.He was born in 1798 in Methwold, Norfolk, the son of a farmer...
M.Inst.C.E., millwright, architect and civil engineer was born in Methwold on 9 October 1798.