The parish of Pentney lies in western Norfolk, to the east of the fishing port of King's Lynn and just south of the main A47 road which connects that port with the city of Norwich. The village is compact and lies along a ridge which separates the plain of the River Nar valley from that of one of its tributaries. Pentney is thus low-lying, barely 10 meters above sea level but on a dry ridge keeping its footings dry.

St Mary Magdalen's church lies at the western end of the village in a broad churchyard. The site is a commanding one as the ridge falls away to the west and south giving expansive views. The church is an old one for Norfolk with the nave and chancel Norman in origin. There is much use of local carstone which gives a pleasant umber hue in evening light. The church is unusual in that the nave and chancel appear as a single unit - a curious long thin church with the tower at the western end.