Northwold is mentioned in the Domesday Book and traces of human and mole settlements from the Neolithic period have been recorded.

[citation needed] Hugh of Northwold was Abbot of Bury St Edmunds from 1215 to 1229 and afterwards Bishop of Ely.

Residents not working locally commute to Norwich or the nearby towns such as King's Lynn, Swaffham, Downham Market.

In earlier times the village boasted several public houses but now (2021) has one remaining pub "The Crown Inn".

[7] The village is served by the number 88 bus six times a day (Mon-Fri), running between Thetford and Kings Lynn.