Although the summit itself lies entirely within Northumberland, the eastern top (at 259 m, or 850 ft) is the highest point in both Tyne and Wear and the metropolitan borough of Gateshead.

[3] It is situated between the villages of Chopwell and Hedley on the Hill, on the border with Northumberland to the west of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The hill forms part of the watershed divide between the catchments of the River Tyne to the north and the Derwent to the south.

"[5] The county top itself is ambiguously situated on an arable feed directly south of the Lead Road.

It was a Home Defence squadron, and patrolled the coastal area around Newcastle to prevent attacks by German Zeppelins.