The village of Cavendish is sited on the northern banks of the river Stour just above the rivers general flood level. To the left of the picture is the river crossing which now follows the dam wall of the mill. The village is planned along either side of the broad main street which widens into the green at the western end. Modern housing has developed at either end of the settlement.

The original development was during the Middle Ages as a centre for the wool trade. The village has many very old buildings including the Elizabethan Grammar school which borders the green and is now a private house. There are alms houses dating from this period to the south of the church. Note the older houses have very long thin gardens at right angles to the road. The recent enlargement of the fields has taken place so larger farm machinery can be used. The photograph, taken in May, shows a yellow crop of Oil Seed Rape just coming into flower along with dark green winter wheat and light green barley .