It traces its roots in an unbroken line to the diocese of the Bishop of the East Angles founded in 630.

It covers 573 parishes with 656 churches covering all of the county of Norfolk save for the extreme west beyond the River Great Ouse that is part of the diocese of Ely.

It includes the deanery of Lothingland (the port of Lowestoft and its immediate hinterland) in the county of Suffolk.

Until the formation of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich in 1914, Suffolk was included, and earlier other areas.

Alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese which do not accept the ordination of women as priests) is provided by the provincial episcopal visitor, Norman Banks, Bishop suffragan of Richborough, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese to facilitate his ministry.