Originally a small area north of the township of Warrington, it is now a large area between the town centre and the M62, incorporating other small communities, such as Longford.

William Beamont, a Victorian solicitor and philanthropist, lived at Orford Hall, which had previously been the seat of the Blackburne family.

Another notable local family were the Booths, who built Orford House in the late 18th century, ancestors of Charles Booth of the Liverpool shipowning family.

Boundaries are Greenwood Estate to the east (after which it becomes Cinnamon Brow), Winwick Road to the west (where it becomes Bewsey), the M62 to the north (where it becomes Winwick) and Marsh House Lane to the south (where it becomes Fairfield).

The nearest railway stations are those in the town centre, (Central (for services to Manchester and Liverpool) and Bank Quay (for services via the West Coast Main Line)).

Based on the ACORN index, the majority of residents describe the ward as "hard-pressed".

Those that are economically inactive (due to retirement, long-term disability/illness, or full-time carer status) account for 34.3% of the population.