 Cardew was born in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.He began his education as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School and Midhurst Grammar School, he then studied painting at Chelsea School of Art London and sculpture at Camberwell School of Art.He then worked as a model maker at Pinewood, Elstree and Sheperton Studios from 1960 to 1970, including work on the 1962 film "Satan Never Sleeps" and "Cleopatra" in 1963.