A pretty village in the hundred of Henstead, situated on an eminence about 3 miles S.E. of Norwich, on the Loddon road. It consists of nearly 700 acres of land, chiefly the property of the Earl of Roseberry, who is lord of the manor. The population in 1851 was 128. Bixley Hall and Bixley Lodge are two exceedingly pretty seats, the former occupied by Mrs. Martin, and the latter by Mr. Base. Here is a large brick-built windmill, which from its extraordinary height, commands an extensive view of Norwich and the suburbs. It is of circular form, measures 100 feet at the base, and consists of 11 stories. It is the property of Mr. Charles Clare, who has a neat residence adjoining. The church is a small and ancient structure, built in 1272, with a tower; the interior is neat, and possesses many ancient monuments. The living is a rectory, with that of Framingham Earl annexed, in the gift of the Rev. Chas. David Brereton, M.A. The Rev. G. J. Bird is the incumbent.
Base, Mr., the Lodge
Clare, Charles, corn miller
Martin, Mrs., the Hall
Parker, George, farmer
Seamon, William, farmer
Sowter, James, farmer
Sowter, John, farmer
BLOFIELD.
An extensive but detached village and parish, in the hundred of the same name, East Norfolk, distant from Norwich 7 miles east. The Norwich and Yarmouth line of railway passes within a mile and a quarter, and a neat station-house has been erected at Brundall, 119½ miles from London. The parish contains 2,277 acres of land, and the population in 1851 was 1,175 inhabitants. Petty Sessions are held at the Globe Inn every alternate Monday; also a statute fair, or sessions for the hiring of servants, a few days before Michaelmas. Here is an endowed School for educating poor boys, which is conducted by Mr. R. J. Codling. The church, a plain structure, possesses a fine and lofty tower, containing six bells. The interior is neat, and the windows spacious; it was re-pewed in 1819. There are several ancient tablets, &c. The living is a rectory, in the patronage of Caius College, Cambridge. The present incumbent is the Rev. Thomas Smith Turnbull, M.A., and his curate, the Rev. J. V. Button, M.A.