Neighbouring parishes include Gisleham, Henstead with Hulver Street and Mutford.

[2] The majority of the land in the parish is agricultural[2] with the name meaning a rushy enclosure or lake.

[1] The village was recorded in the Domesday Book with around 18 households as part of the holdings of King William.

In 1846 the manor formed part of the land owned by Samuel Morton Peto.

Rushmere Hall, which dates to the 16th century, is a Grade II* listed farmhouse.