The parish of West Lexham lies in central Norfolk about 5 miles north of the market town of Swaffham. West Lexham is a rather small village, little more than a hamlet, sitting a half mile east of the A1065 road which connects Swaffham & Fakenham. West Lexham sits on the northern banks of the River Nar in an area of Norfolk more rolling than many others. West lexham would have been an agricultural community, there would have been some pastures in the river valley but most would have been arable. Like many Norfolk parishes the acreage was small, just 1,200 acres and the population was small too, barely above 100 parishioners.

St Nicholas's church sits to the northwest of the main junction of lanes in West Lexham, screened from the roads and accessed by footpath. The round tower immediately indicates an ancient building even if somewhat unflatteringly covered in cement. Possibly Saxon or early Norman this is the church's principal feature, the remainder having been almost totally rebuilt in 1881. Pevsner does note the southern porch and chancel arch as indicative of the 14th century buy speculates they were rebuilt during that Victorian upgrade. The church sits behind a farm a dusty footpath leading into the churchyard which is a haven of peace.