Burnham Deepdale's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for a settlement along the River Burn with a deep valley.

[1] Burnham Deepdale is listed in the Domesday Book as a settlement of four households in the hundred of Brothercross.

Burnham Deepdale is located at the edge of the Brancaster Manor Marsh and the Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve.

The village's national constituency is North West Norfolk which has been represented by the Conservative's James Wild MP since 2010.

Burnham Deepdale's war memorial is two separate shrines in St Mary's Church and is shared with Brancaster Staithe.