The small parish of Kennett covers 1,431 acres (579 ha) at the easternmost point of the spur of Cambridgeshire that stretches into Suffolk.

The border deviates to the east of the river for a kilometre or so, such that the land around Kennett Hall falls into the parish.

The river was forded at the south-east of the parish in around 1161 (from which the village of Kentford takes its name) and was navigable until at least the early 14th century, leading eventually to King's Lynn.

A 13th century ferry across the Kennett was known as Kentfayre, and the Newmarket to Bury St Edmunds road had a bridge over the river added in around 1600 on what became a busy turnpike.

[2] Kennett Hall, on the site which served as the manor house from the 12th century, was built in around 1870 by William Godfrey.