Plawsworth is a quiet village of around forty houses and one working farm, standing about halfway between Durham and Chester-le-Street. It is thought that the Roman road known as Cades Road, that passes through the parish, ran from Great Stainton to the Roman fort at Chester-le-Street (known in Latin as Concangis).

In the medieval period the present Harbour House was probably a manor house, however, the current building dates to the 18th century. Nearby is the site of a medieval chapel of mid-15th century date. The remains of several 15th century windows have been blocked up. Bishop Langley gave permission for the chapel to be built in 1432.

The two other main settlements of the area are Nettlesworth and Kimblesworth which form a linear settlement to the west of Plawsworth on the opposite side of the A167 which runs north/south through the parish. A memorial hall at Nettlesworth was built in 1924 as a First World War memorial dedicated to 300 men of Kimblesworth Colliery and the wider area who served, 60 of whom died. A number of memorials are located in the hall including memorial plaques to both World Wars as well as the plaque and regimental badges display of the former Ex-Servicemen's Club which closed in 2003. The United Methodist Church is also known to have once housed a WW1 roll of honour, but the survival of this is unknown since the chapel was demolished.