The positions of the settlements have their roots in early history, which has influenced the position of the existing roads and footpaths. Their historical function was likely to be utilitarian, in terms of access for farm and woodland and droving of animals etc, or strategic, with respect to the two principal Roman Roads intersecting on the boundary of the Parish.  

The Parish is characterised by strong, rolling landforms, rising gently to domed hilltops and dissected by dry river valleys. A thick layer of chalk with flint produces softer contours and heavy moist soils which have retained their woodland cover. Sinuous woodlands cling to the steep slopes and with interconnected hedgerow networks, create a strong sense of enclosure in some areas. 

The parish is situated on a major aquifer, a layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, silt, chalk or clay) from which groundwater can be usefully extracted. This provides a major water resource for Andover and its population.  The soils are shallow in places allowing liquid discharges to appear in low lying areas.   

A section of the parish is within the North West Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  Wooded areas in the AONB are planted with beech and conifers which were once managed by the Forestry Commission but are now in private hands.