It is four miles north of Newmarket, as well as being close to the settlements of Soham, Burwell, Isleham, Mildenhall and Chippenham.

It also borders Chippenham and Isleham to the east, Soham to the north, and Burwell to the west, as well as having a short boundary with Wicken at its western tip.

Wall plaster and tiles have been found from the Roman era, indicating that villas may have been sited near to Biggin and Block Farms in the 2nd to 4th centuries A.D.[2] In the Middle Ages the village was home to Fordham Priory, a Gilbertine priory and cell to Sempringham Priory, that was founded in the reign of Henry III in the 13th century by Robert de Fordham.

[3] Fordham Abbey, a Grade II listed Georgian manor house was built on the site of the Priory in the eighteenth century.

[7] The earliest parts of the building date from the 12th century, and stonework suggest that by 1200 it was already its present size.

The church is noted for its fine 14th-century north chapel, unusual in having an upper floor and undercroft.

[citation needed] Fordham is the birthplace of operatic bass-baritone Darren Jeffery.