Cratfield is a small farming and residential community. It has a population of 292 according to the 2011 census. The area is built on a mixture of London Clay (which is very dense) and chalk and believed to be aged between 1.5 and 3.5 million years old, this is also mixed in with volcanic ash which proves that there must have been volcanic activity in the past. Cratfield currently has 26 listed buildings within it, 25 of them Grade 2 listed and St Mary's church being Grade 1 listed.
Cratfield has had two churches and three cemeteries in the past, however in the current day it only has one church (St Mary's) and two cemeteries (St Mary's and Burial ground). The oldest part of the church is from the 14th century, however the tower is from the 15th century. In 1547 under Edward VI, "the parish sold all its silver rather than let it fall into government hands and therefore spent the proceeds on decorating the tower, for which they are to be commended and remembered.