Methwold


Methwold is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk, on the edge of the Norfolk Fens and Breckland.
With an area of it is the second largest parish in Norfolk. It had a population of 1,476 in 591 households at the 2001 census, increasing to 1,502 at the 2011 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 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 from King's Lynn and north west of Thetford.
The Duchy of Lancaster Methwold CofE Primary School is located in the parish. The secondary and sixth form departments of Iceni Academy are also located in Methwold, previously being known as Methwold High School.
Methwold parish is the second largest parish in Norfolk in terms of land. The parish currently has approximately 20 farms ranging from about up to. 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.
Methwold became famous for its abundance and excellence of its rabbits which were sold by poulterers as "Muel Rabbits". According to John Marius Wilson, Methwold was formerly a market town given its market charter granted by King James I in 1718 during a brief visit. A meal of Muel Rabbits was reputed to have pleased the king to such an extent that he granted the village a charter for the market to be held.
The village was struck by an F1/T2 tornado on 23 November 1981, as part of the record-breaking nationwide tornado outbreak on that day.

Notable residents