East Dereham is the major market town of central Norfolk. The town, situated and thankfully bypassed by, the main A47 east/west route across Norfolk. East Dereham has a long history with evidence suggesting a settlement was here as early as the 7th century. The town is certainly mentioned in Domesday Book and the market was documented as granted in the mid-13th century. The "east" is often dropped in the present day but is kept here to distinguish from the small village of West Dereham close to Downham Market. Nowadays East Dereham is a thriving settlement despite the loss of its railway to the Beching axe. The original settlement and market north of the bypass has been supplemented by substantial industrial and retail developments to its south.

St Nicholas church lies just west of the market area just south of the former A47 route to Swaffham and King's Lynn. The church is unusual in having a detached bell-tower in addition to a central tower to the church proper. The church is a mixture of periods and styles with evidence of an early foundation presented by Norman columns and the south doorway. The crossing tower is in the Decorated style and the broad arcades are similar. From the Early English and Perpendicular styles come later features, the whole overlaid with the usual Victorian restoration leads to a complete catalog of the architectural history of Norfolk church design. The whole adds to a splendid building that dominates the centre of the town and is clearly the focus of the settlement.