It is directly south of Epworth, south-west of Scunthorpe, north-west of Gainsborough, east of Doncaster and north-north-west of Lincoln, with a population of 4,584 at the 2011 census.

The civil parish includes the town of Haxey and the village of Westwoodside, and the hamlets of Haxey Carr, High Burnham (the highest elevation of the Isle of Axholme),[4] Low Burnham, East Lound, Graizelound and Upperthorpe which is conjoined to Westwoodside.

[5] The town's Grade I listed Anglican parish church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas,[6] originates from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Piers of the north arcade are Norman, and those of the south, with the chancel arch and chantry chapel, mainly Early English.

The town contains three public houses, The Duke William, The Loco, and The King's Arms, two convenience stores, a doctor's surgery, and a local estate agency.

Lincolnshire Co-op opened a £1.2 million store in 2013 to some local opposition over the loss of town character and other businesses.

There is a plaque in the local pub The King's Arms dedicated to his efforts, as well as a small charity-run museum located near the church, the site of his original home.