The parish of North Lopham lies in southern Norfolk about 6 miles west of the market town of Diss. North Lopham is a large linear village built along a north/south running lane which heads northwards from the A1066 road which links Diss with Thetford. North Lopham is a large village, its population has almost approached 1,000 at times, and today is still an important village in this area of south Norfolk. North Lopham sits about 3 miles north of the Waveney valley, the river marks the border with neighbouring Suffolk, and stands on a broad agricultural plain about 50 metres above sea level. The rich soils are dominated by arable agriculture notably for cereals, oil seed and occasionally beet. North Lopham is almost a mile in length from north to south but barely reaches more than a couple of hundred yards to the west or east of its lane, the village retains most of its amenities including shops and pub.

St Nicholas' church sits at the southern end of the village on the western side of the main lane where it describes a strange kink, presumably a relic of land ownership. The church is built almost entirely in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles that date its build from mid 14th to 15th centuries. The Decorated style being used for the chancel and southern aisle & porch. The dominating western tower, southern arcade and most of the nave is in the Perpendicular style and maybe a half century later. The church sits in a curiously open situation, there being no fence or wall between it and the main lane. Rather incongruously rows of gravestone stand edge-on to the road. The site is relatively open and photographer friendly.