The Common is part of the Muggleswick, Stanhope and Edmundbyers Commons and Blanchland Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated as such by Natural England for its habitat diversity and the presence of a range of plant and bird species of national and international importance.

Listed in the Boldon Book (1183).—“The Prior holds Muglyngwyc, as is expressed in his charter, as well of the Bishop's favour, as in exchange for Herdewic.

The estate has remained ever since vested in the Church of Durham.” There are the ruins of a hunting lodge, or grange, for the Prior of Durham, which is a listed building.

John Ellrington, a servant of Lady Foster of Blanchland, informed the authorities that there were seditious meetings taking place in the area with a plot to overthrow the government, parliament and the church.

In the United Kingdom Census 2001 the population of the village was 130 with 66 male and 64 female[1] John Carr, the schoolmaster and writer, was born in Muggleswick.