Stiffkey parish lies on the picturesque north coast of Norfolk, between Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea, a pretty narrow streeted village much popular with vistiors and in particular sailors and bird-watchers alike. The main A149 coast-road winds through the cramped confines of the flint-knapped houses. The village is also confined between the water meadows of the River Stiffkey to the south and the salt marshes of the North Sea coast to its north.

St John is a typical Norfolk Perpendicular style church dating largely from the late 13th to the late 14th century, although extensively restored in 1848. The church makes much use of the local flint building material which weathers to a fine grey colour typical of this coast-line.