Nearby villages include Boxworth, Conington, Elsworth and the expanding new settlement of Cambourne.

The medieval church had a long, low chancel and a three-bay aisled nave, all under a single roof, and a west tower.

[4] Knapwell was once celebrated for its many ancient pollarded Field Elms, which marked the old boundaries, closes and lanes of the larger medieval village and which were locally called "the Dodds".

[5][6] The trees grew both in the fields immediately bordering the main street and amongst the houses of the modern village.

Overhall Grove (not to be confused with Knapwell Wood) has a notably large number of surviving elm trees.