 It lies beneath Cross Fell, the highest point of the Pennines and is one of a chain of villages following the contour of the escarpment.The fellside forms part of the North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty which in 2003 was awarded the status of UNESCO European Geopark and includes the Moorhouse Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve.The parish includes the outlying hamlets of Gullom Holme and Milburn Grange, respectively and from Milburn village centre.