The parish of Swafield lies in northeastern Norfolk about a mile and a half north of the market town of North Walsham. Swafield is a small settlement, most of it sits on or close to the B1145 which connects North Walsham with Norfolk's coast at Mundesley. Swafield is largely built either side of that road's crossing of the infant river Ant. Swafield is a small parish, it covered just over 800 acres 3/4 of which was used for arable farming. The area is rather flat rising from the Ant to around 40 metres above the sea and is dominated by Norfolk's big skies. Nowadays North Walsham has spread with modern developments almost to Swafield's southern boundary and it is likely that the former village might be merged contiguously in the near future.

St Nicholas' church sits in splendid isolation over a half mile to the north of most properties, alongside the B1145 and surrounded by arable fields. The western tower has the earliest portions of this church, Pevsner dates that piece to the late 13th century or early 14th century. Much else of the fabric was rebuilt in the 15th century and shows the Perpendicular styles fashionable at that date. Both nave and chancel were rebuilt at that time. A significant restoration of 1861 saw major work on the chancel as well as a new roof. The church sits back a bit from the road enabling a small parking area, the churchyard is surrounded on three sides by mature trees but they give sufficient room for adequate photographic views.