The civil parish also includes the hamlets of Bow Street and Stalland Common, and covers an area of 1,114 hectares (2,750 acres) with a population of 1108 at the 2001 census,[3] though the district's 2007 estimate suggests that this may have risen to 1165, then decreasing to a measured population of 1,132 in 470 households at the 2011 Census.

The site of Great Ellingham has been inhabited since pre-historic times and is documented in the Domesday book of 1086.

[6] This "attractive chequered flintwork and battlemented west tower [is] topped by a lead spire" was restored in the early 20th century.

The Crown public house, one of six pubs that used to be in the village, was once called The Bell and dates from the mid-18th century.Great Ellingham primary school teaches just over 150 pupils up to the age of 11.

[8] The village is renowned locally[9] for its annual Teddy Bear Festival, which runs for two weeks in July.