Its shape, due to the river bends immediately south, resembles a molar (tooth).

Elevations range from 47 m in the grounds of Bylaugh Hall at its centre, to 22 m above mean sea level in the southwest corner, just above Elsing mill.

[10] A sewage treatment works in the south of the village treats primarily the effluent of Swanton Morley and Bawdeswell, preventing damage to the canoe-navigable River Wensum.

[11] The church was significantly re-built in 1809 by Charles Barry at the expense of Sir John Lombe who is buried in the chancel.

And the interior of this church and chancel fitted up at the sole expense of Sir John Lombe Bart.

The village's national constituency is Mid Norfolk which has been represented by the Conservative's George Freeman MP since 2010.