There are three villages in the dale, all in its lower part: West Burton, Thoralby and Newbiggin.

[1] The Bishopdale Beck flows through the dale to join the River Ure about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) east of Aysgarth.

The B6160 road follows the path of the river from its junction with the A684 to the watershed at Kidstones Pass where it continues to Cray and Buckden in Upper Wharfedale.

[2] The highest point in the dale on the road is to be found at Kidstones, some 245 metres (804 ft) above sea level.

[3] The dale is divided between four civil parishes, Bishopdale, Newbiggin, Thoralby and the northern part of Burton-cum-Walden (which includes the largest village, West Burton), all in the former district of Richmondshire.