[2] Aldreth may have been the site of two battles[3][4] between Hereward the Wake (Anglo-Saxons) and William the Conqueror (Normans).

To the west, again running north-east—south-west, is a scarp belt of middle-Jurassic sedimentary rocks including limestone and sandstone.

[7][8] The flat fenland countryside around the village, typical for this part of the region, lies about 16 feet (5 m) above sea-level.

[9] In contrast, the highest point in Cambridgeshire, 479 feet (146 m) above sea-level, is at Great Chishill, 21 miles (34 km) almost due south.

Holme at nine feet (2.75 m) below sea-level is East Cambridgeshire's (and the United Kingdom's) lowest point, and is 18 miles (29 km) north-west.