Catfield is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Stalham, 12 miles (19 km) north-west of Great Yarmouth, and 12 miles (19 km) north-east of Norwich. At the 2021 census the parish a population of 983, an increase from 943 at the 2011 census.
Parts of the parish are in the Norfolk Broads, with it extending eastward to include parts of Hickling Broad and to the west to the River Ant and edge of Barton Broad.
The A149 road runs through the parish, bypassing the village of Catfield along the route of the former Midland and Great Northern railway line between Melton Constable and Yarmouth Beach railway station. Catfield railway station, which was just outside the parish boundary, operated from 1880 until its closure in 1959.
History
Catfield's name is from the Old English for "open land frequented by wild cats" or "land owned by Kati". In the Domesday Book the village is described as a settlement of 31 households in the hundred of Happing. The land was divided between the estates of Alan of Brittany and Roger Bigod.
Catfield water tower was built in 1980 and was the first British water tower where the central shaft was built entirely from concrete.
All Saints' Church
Catfield's parish church dates from the 15th century, although it is probably built on the site of an earlier church. It is Grade I listed and has an elaborately painted rood screen depicting various kings and saints, as well as a set of royal arms which dates from the Georgian era but was painted over in the reign of Queen Victoria.
Notable people
- Harry Cox (1885–1971) farmworker and folk-singer, died in Catfield.
