The villages of Little Shelford and Great Shelford are situated on either side of the River Cam. Both upstream and down from the villages, the river flowed through what was once marshy ground. Between the villages, however it flowed over a narrow gap in the surrounding gravel terraces, providing a 'shallow ford' that has been used since prehistoric times. Thus the names of both of the villages arose from this important crossing place on the river.

The lane formed by the traffic using the ford now exists as Church Street, which crosses the little bridge in place over the river and, passing between low moss covered stone walls, proceeds up to the church and then on through the village.