Aycliffe, a village, a township, and a parish in Durham. The village stands adjacent to the river Skeme, 5 of a mile W of the York and Berwick railway, 5 1/2 miles N of Darlington, It has a station on the railway, and a post, money order, and telegraph office under Darlington. It is an ancient place, wliich belonged to the see of Lindisfarne, and was the meeting-place of synods in 782 and 789. The township bears the name of Great Aycliffe, and comprises 2078 acres; population, 697. The ecclesiastical parish includes the townships of Great Aycliffe, Brafferton, Woodham, and Preston-le-Skerne; population, 1079. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Durham; net value, £289 with residence. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Durham. The church is most interesting, and was restored at a cost, of over £3000 in 1882. It is in the Norman and Early English styles, and consists of nave, chancel, aisles, and porch, with a western tower 85 feet high. There are remains of two Saxon crosses in the churchyard. There are chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists.
