The parish of West Barsham lies in northwestern Norfolk about 3 miles north of the market town of Fakenham. West Barsham is a small estate village lying just east of the B1105 which connects Fakenham through to Wells-next-the-Sea. One of a trio of Barshams, West Barsham sits on the western banks of the Stiffkey River amidst many trees and copses. Undoubtedly a "closed" parish where all land was controlled by a single landowner and inbound migration discouraged no substantial village has developed. The parish economy would have been inextricably linked to that of its hall with most parishioners engaged in arable farming or other activities such as gardening, game keepering or similar activities directed by the estate.

The church of the Assumption sits alongside the main entrance to the grounds of the hall on an out-and-back lane that wends through the notional centre of the "village". An ancient church with surviving fragments of very early fabric. Pevsner is quick to point to pre-Conquest styled windows in both nave and chancel assigning them to an 11th century date, there are hints that the original church may have carried a central "sanctuary" tower of Saxon date which survives as building line traces. Of the slightly later Norman Romanesque style are both southern and northern doorways, whilst the remainder is largely in the Decorated style of the early 14th century marking a rebuild at that time. The church's major restoration came in more modern times and is 20th century having been conducted immediately pre-World War 2. The quiet lane carries very little traffic, and parking is simple, a typical flint & brick wall surrounds the tiny churchyard which is perhaps best captured from outside given the cramped surroundings.