Coordinates: 54°47′06″N 1°49′06″W / 54.78492°N 1.8182°W / 54.78492; -1.8182

Satley
Satley  Satley shown within County Durham
OS grid reference	NZ1178943185
Civil parish	Satley
District	County Durham
Shire county	County Durham
Region	North East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Police	Durham
Fire	County Durham and Darlington
Ambulance	North East
EU Parliament	North East England
UK Parliament	County Durham
List of places: UK • England • County Durham

Satley is a village and civil parish in County Durham, England with a population of 292 people as of 2001.^[1] It is situated a few miles to the south of Consett. It is situated near the A68. The village of Satley lies in a narrow valley between Lanchester and Tow Laws. It was long ago part of the large parish of Lanchester, but has become a parish in its own right in 1868.The Satley Parish Council meets often and is part of the County Durham Association^[2] of Local Councils, they attempt to solve issues on a village by meeting with Durham County Council^[3] or solving them internally.

Satley has a deep and fascinating history, with archaeological evidence dating back as far as the Bronze Age,^[4] even today buildings such as the church which was built in 1816 still stands. Today Satley is a thriving village in the farming community. Many of the local services have shut down and many of the locals commute further afield to work, but many basic local facilities still remain. The farming village is also near the tourist attraction Hall Hill Farm.

Oddly, the village has the dialling code 01388 which is generally thought of as a South Durham area code, most notably for Bishop Auckland however the village is very firmly a North Durham village, having previously been administered by Derwentside District Council.

History [link]

The earliest archaeological evidence for inhabitants comes from the Bronze Age.^[5] A flint arrowhead probably used for warfare or hunting was found near the village, as well as a stone hammer found near Satley Grange.^[6] Also two ancient British graves have been found, the first at Satley Grange, the latter between East and West Bustfield. Both contained human remains and burial urns. The Romans settled nearby, as they built a fort at Lanchester,^[7] although there is little evidence to suggest activity. The road through the village originated as a track from the Roman fort at Lanchester to the one at Weardale. Romans coins have also been found in the area. The actual village of Satley is of late Anglo –Saxon or Medieval date. The “-ley” in the village name shows that the Anglo-Saxons named the village as it stood in a clearing in a wooded area. But it is clear that the Victorians influenced the layout of the village, as the basic plan of the village is rows of houses arranged along a main street, suggesting late 11th, early 12 the century.^[8]

The Church and School [link]

The focus of the village is the stone-built church, dedicated to St Cuthbert, the church was restored from ruins in 1870. The house by the churchyard gate was built in 1816, costing only £120.^[9] This replaced Satley’s original school which was two thatched cottages which were erected in 1790. The school was in use until 1846. This was built on the other side of the churchyard gate. This went on to serve Satley for over 100 years.^[10] This was closed in 1965 to make a new, modern school. This was to be built in a field behind the houses in Glebeside. But this only lasted until 1979 when it also closed.^[11] Now there is no school in Satley and when it closed as a school in 1965, the building by the churchyard gate became Satleys’s Parish Hall.^[12]

Transport [link]

Durham Tees Valley Airport [link]

Durham Tees Valley Airport is located south of Longnewton and is a 10 minute car journey.It is relatively small, receives arrivals and disperses departures to the following European nations; Bulgaria, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Bus [link]

The bus service from Satley if very infrequent, and most resident would be reliant on a car. The main bus route is the B629, this stops outside the Punch Bowl free house, Glebside and Hall Hill farm. For the school children in Satley there is a service that runs from Hunswick to Wolsingham (school). But this is only during term time.^[13]

Train [link]

Satley has no train station and many stations are at least reasonable bus ride or drive away. With the nearest being Durham station itself.^[14]

Facilities [link]

With the growth of the use of the car and the internet, combined with large reatil parks, like many traditional English villages services have greatly declined in Satley. The village shop and Post Office has now closed, with the Post Office open only four mornings a week.^[15] Satley once had its very own villageblacksmith, cobbler and miller, these too have gone. Although the mill still remains.^[16] The vicarge is now private housing as the Parish has been joined with Tow Law. Also the once resident policeman has no longer been kept.^[17] The village boasts two public houses - the Royal Oak, built in 1865, and the larger, much modernised Punch Bowl. The Punch bowl is also one of the very few places for guests in Satley to stay, as it offers a full hotel service to guests.^[18] There are a number of hotels that are near the village of Satley, as the area is popualr for those wanting to visit Durham the surrounding area.^[19]

References [link]

Coordinates: 54°47′N 1°49′W / 54.783°N 1.817°W / 54.783; -1.817

External links [link]

Media related to Satley at Wikimedia Commons