It is 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Barrow upon Trent and part of that village's civil parish.

Arleston (then Elsetune) is mentioned in the Domesday book as belonging to Henry de Ferrers[1] and being worth forty shillings.

[2] In the past monks from the Knights Templar are reported[3] to have had a house, known as Barrow Camera, here where they administered charity work at the local ferry crossing.

A small road leads off the left of Arleston Lane, leading to Arleston Farm and its surrounding houses before continuing to a major road about 0.75 miles away near the Ragley Boat Stop inn.

Arleston Lane continues south towards Arleston House and its surrounding buildings, then over the Trent & Mersey canal and railway to Merrybower Farm and its cottages which lie at the southernmost extent of the hamlet.