The parish of Thornage lies in northern Norfolk about 2 miles southwest of the small town of Holt. Thornage is a small and compact village which sits on the B1110 road which connects Holt with East Dereham. Like so many of Norfolk's villages Thornage was essentially an arable farming settlement, some 5/6th of the parish's acreage being devoted to the growing of cereals, the presence, to the south of the village, of a small tributary of the Glaven gave the parish some pasturage. This area of Norfolk is characterised by small parishes, most close to 1,000 acres in size, within two miles of all Saints' church there are 6 other parish churches, all within an hour's walking. Modern day Thornage is little changed from the time of this transcript, the crops have varied a little more with beet and oil seed adding to the cereals but the village is still an arable farming area.

All Saints' church sits on the western side of the B1110 as it passes through the village, the church is well screened from the road which is narrow and with little space for parking. The church has early origins, Pevsner believes that masonry on the northwest corner is Saxon whilst three windows show Norman Romanesque styling indicative of a church on this location as early as the 12th century. The chancel is, however, early 14th century and Decorated in style whilst other windows are Perpendicular and 15th century. The church is difficult to age, however, due to a lavish restoration in 1898 followed by further work in 1904 which have removed some of the essential dating detail. The church is difficult of access, parking is available to the north of site and a short walk is necessary. Entry is either by a small gate from the B1110 or by an arched gate and mown path from the lane leading to Sharrington, the churchyard is open and fairly spacious with few obstacles to photography.