Esh

The tiny village of Esh (which should not be confused with Esh Winning in the Deerness Valley to the south) is situated to the south west of Langley Park on a hill between the valleys of the Browney and Deerness. Sometimes known as Old Esh, its Anglo-Saxon name means 'Ash' as in the tree but 'esh' reflects the traditional Northumbrian dialect historically spoken throughout the North. Esh later gave its name to a family of medieval times called De Esh who resided here up until the reign of Henry VIII. They included Simon De Esh, a High Sheriff and Bailiff of Durham in the 1300s. Esh village, which dates from 1283, may be on the site of their private family chapel. The walled village green…

Esh's only pub, has been in the village since the fourteenth century and is thought to have been visited by Edward I. The Good Pub Guide states that The Cross keys is a pleasant pub in a "picturesque village, with beautiful views across the valley and a full menu".