It is located within the civil parish of St Cleer, on the southeastern edge of Bodmin Moor, 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the town of Liskeard.
[1] A Site of Special Scientific Interest, also named Crow's Nest, is located 200m north of the village.
It is noted for its geological interest, as well as various species of moss,[2] specifically for being one of only two sites in the world where Cornish path moss (Ditrichum cornubicum) grows, a distinction it shares with the Phoenix United Mine, also located in Cornwall.
The SSSI also forms part of Phoenix United Mine and Crow's Nest Special Area of Conservation.
[3] Part of the land designated as Crow's Nest Site of Special Scientific Interest is owned by the Ministry of Defence.