Edmundbyers | |
---|---|
Location within County Durham | |
Population | 118 (2001 census) |
OS grid reference | NZ016501 |
Civil parish |
|
Unitary authority | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | CONSETT |
Postcode district | DH8 |
Dialling code | 01207 |
Police | Durham |
Fire | County Durham and Darlington |
Ambulance | North East |
UK Parliament | |
Edmundbyers is a village in County Durham, in England. It is situated a few miles to the west of Consett, near Derwent Reservoir. In 2001 it had a population of 118.[1] The civil parish of Edmondbyers had a population taken at the 2011 Census of 173.[2] Today, the village has a pub, a youth hostel, a church, a village hall and a small shop. A bus service, the 773, serves the village, connecting it to Townfield, Hunstanworth and Consett.
There is evidence of prehistoric settlement in the area from the Neolithic era onwards.[3] It is listed in the Boldon Book (1183): "Alan Bruntoft holds Edmundbires for his service in the forest”. However, Bishop Hatfield's survey of c. 1382 shows that the land had been transferred to Durham Cathedral: “The Prior holds the vill of Edmundbires, sometime of Alan Bruntop, by forest service”.[4]
The village church, St Edmund's, has evidence of pre-Norman building,[5] but it mainly dates from the 12th century, with renovations from 1859 onwards. The pre-Reformation stone altar was rediscovered and replaced in the church during the restoration.[6] There is a list of rectors beginning with Richard de Kirkeby in 1275 and ending with John Durie, A. M., on 2 July 1629. The incumbents after 1629 have also been in charge of the parish of Muggleswick.[4]
A Wesleyan Methodist chapel was erected in 1835. The Primitive Methodists met in a private house. The parish school was erected in 1825.[7]
The youth hostel (dated 1936 over the lintel) is made up of three houses built in the mid- to late 18th century.[8]
Edmundbyers Cross is one of only three wayside crosses still in its original position in County Durham, and the only known example on the route between Stanhope and Edmundbyers.[9]