It is surrounded by the following villages: Ruffside, Whitley Chapel, Ordley, Wooley, Healey, Juniper, Riding Lea, and Blanchland.

[2] The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.

The present church dates from 1832 (with extensive repairs in 1907-8) and was designed by Milton Carr.

[3][4][5][6] The nearby hamlet of Shield Hall has the remains of a medieval unfortified house (late 13th/early 14th century).

[11] The only public transport is the twice daily 689 bus service (three times Saturday) between Consett and Hexham via Whittonstall and Ebchester, also calling in at nearby Slaley Hall.