This is an upland area situated within the northern limits of the Pennines and in an AONB. The hills on either side of the South Tyne Valley rise to about 500m ( around 1700ft) so the animal and plant species are those you would expect in such an area. Bird specialities  include black grouse and hen harrier. Among the mammals there are red squirrels, otters and polecats. The Knarburn flows into the South Tyne River a little to the south of the hamlet of Eals.