The parish of Hempnall lies in southeastern Norfolk roughly 10 miles south of the city of Norwich. Whilst today Hempnall is a large village, at one time it was a small market town but that status was lost over the centuries. Hempnall is located almost 3 miles east of the A140 road which connects Norwich with Ipswich and on the B1527 which leads eastwards from that road. Hempnall has a valley setting, within that of a small tributary of the River Tas, with the main village centre to its south. In modern times Hempnall has acquired some commuter developments and has spread more northwards as a result. The valley setting enabled some diversity in the farming, estimates in older gazetteers name 1/6th as pastureland, in addition to farming there was a tradition of making of hoops and hurdles within the parish, undoubtedly from the willows that line the river.

St Margaret's church sits just north of the river crossing on the eastern side of The Street. Like most Norfolk churches it is largely a product of the 13th and 14th centuries but Pevsner notes and comments upon some "long-and-short work" which could be as early as 11th century at the northwestern corner of the nave. precise dating is obscured by later restoration work but the southern arcade is 13th century and Decorated in style whilst its opposite number is later, 14th century & Perpendicular. Also 14th century is the western tower albeit topped by a weathervane added in 1727. The major restoration took place in 1857 when all the windows and roofs of nave & chancel were renewed as well as general repair and restoration. Work continued into the late 20th century when the base of the tower was filled in to provide a vestry & kitchen. There is room for a single car to get off road at the southern entrance where metal gates lead through the chest high brick wall that separates from the pavement. The church sits fairly close to the southern edge of the churchyard which does inhibit the better angles for the photographer.