It is situated on a chalk ridge, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the market town of Royston.

The Prime Meridian passes just to the east of the village, between Reed and Barkway.

The modern A10 road (here following the course of the Roman Ermine Street) passes just to the west of the village.

[2] There is also a village hall, the Saxon parish church of St. Mary, a small chapel (now closed and in private ownership), a cricket club, and a village pub and restaurant set in a 16th-century coaching inn which is currently closed pending planning applications.

There has reportedly been a settlement at Reed for 2,000 years, and the community was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 (as Retth).