Harperley consists of two parts; the southern part (consisting of seven houses) is set around crossroads from which there is easy access to West Kyo, Catchgate, Annfield Plain and Stanley.

The northern part (consisting of three houses and a farm) is grouped around the now derelict Harperley Hotel, a now closed public house formerly known locally for meals and hosting wedding functions.

Due to local council ownership in the 1970s, it allegedly gained the nickname Ratepayer's Arms.

The grounds surrounding the Harperley Hotel used to be the site of a zoo (in the 1960s) and a children's playground (as late as the 1980s).

However, even though the station site is still extant, the Weardale Railway passes Harperley en route between Witton-le-Wear and Wolsingham.