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Esh, County Durham

Esh is a village and civil parish in the district of Derwentside in County Durham, England. It is situated about five miles to the west of Durham.

Esh Village or Old Esh as it is sometimes known dates from Anglo-Saxon times. Esh is an Anglo-Saxon name meaning Ash Tree and the spelling reflects the old Northumbrian dialect.

In the village green stands a stone cross inscribed with the letters I.H.S and dated 1687. It is known locally as St Cuthbert's cross . Legend says the monks carrying St Cuthbert's body rested here for a while before eventually settling in Durham.

From 1835 until his death, the British astronomer Temple Chevallier served as perpetual Parish Priest at Esh, where he founded the village school and restored the church.

Coordinates: 54°47′N, 1°42′W