One of only two surviving fords on the Tyne, (the other is at Garrigill), it is located half a mile southeast of Bleagate at a narrow point of the river and crossing is aided by concrete slabs set in the river bed. Situated between two of the footbridges between Alston and Garrigill, it is presumably little used by pedestrians although it is easily crossed under normal river conditions. There is a riverbank footpath on the south side and Low Sillyhall farm is to the north.