It lies south of Darlington on the northern bank of the River Tees, opposite the village of Croft-on-Tees in North Yorkshire to which it is linked by Croft Bridge, a Grade I listed structure dating from the 14th century, which marks the county boundary.

The Teesdale Way footpath runs through the village, as does the East Coast Main Line, although there is no longer a railway station.

There is a working men's club, and one pub called the Comet, named after a shorthorn bull.

Coal was brought by rail from Darlington to the terminus for road transport to destinations in South Durham and North Yorkshire.

The goods yard, now known as Croft Depot, remained in use until 1964, when it was demolished, the branch line taken up and the site redeveloped for residential use.