At The Cross Keys, we’ll look after you
The Cross Keys is a traditional family run pub.
We serve food daily and have a beautiful
upstairs lodge for weary travellers.
The Cross Keys is a traditional family run pub. We serve food daily and have a beautiful upstairs lodge for weary travellers.
About Us
The Cross Keys is a stunning country pub situated in the picturesque and rural village of Esh, sitting on top of a Browney Valley between Lanchester and Durham.
Our homely and welcoming pub has the most breathtaking views across the valley, and with its low ceilings, and ambient pillars and beams, the 14th century feel is very much evident as soon as you walk through the door.
Divided into separate dining room and bar area, The Cross Keys Esh has something for everyone. Our menu is the perfect combination of locally sourced and home cooked. Sunday lunches are popular with regulars, whilst our menu is regularly updated by our talented chefs, who infuse both passion and flavour into every dish.
That’s not all. We also offer a beautiful upstairs lodge for weary travellers needing a place to lay their head. Sleeping up to 9 with a total of 4 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms, we have thought of every little detail, including a welcome basket to make you feel right at home upon arrival.
No one is left out at The Cross Keys Esh and our guests are also welcome to bring along their beloved four legged friends. Our warm and welcoming atmosphere, idyllic views, and large selection of food, beers, spirits, and wines makes it the perfect place to get away from the chaos of everyday life.
Opening Times
| Bar | Food | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 3pm – 11pm | 3pm – 8pm |
| Tuesday | 3pm – 11pm | 3pm – 8pm |
| Wednesday | 3pm – 11pm | 3pm – 8pm |
| Thursday | 3pm – 11:30pm | 3pm – 8pm |
| Friday | 12pm – 12am | 3pm – 8pm |
| Saturday | 12pm – 12am | 12pm – 8pm |
| Sunday | 12pm – 11:30pm | 12pm – 5pm |
Bar Opening Times
| Monday | 3pm – 11pm |
| Tuesday | 3pm – 11pm |
| Wednesday | 3pm – 11pm |
| Thursday | 3pm – 11:30pm |
| Friday | 3pm – Midnight |
| Saturday | 12pm – Midnight |
| Sunday | 12pm – 11:30pm |
Restaurant Opening Times
| Monday | 3pm – 8pm |
| Tuesday | 3pm – 8pm |
| Wednesday | 3pm – 8pm |
| Thursday | 3pm – 8pm |
| Friday | 3pm – 8pm |
| Saturday | 12pm – 8pm |
| Sunday | 12pm – 5pm |
Testimonials
What a nice find
So pleased to have eventually managed to get a table here on a Saturday evening!!! A wonderfully warm welcome and a decent menu and specials board!
Opted for the steak and ale pie and wasn’t disappointed at all! Good portions but with full on flavour. Nice veggies too. Like that they don’t take advantage with the cost of their wines and beers too. Lovely local feel. Would recommend!
Bar Meal
Visited yesterday evening. A really warm and friendly welcome. The menu was supplemented with a specials board which we chose from. The portions were excellent…enough that I had no room to try any of the desserts that were advertised. I had a mixed sizzler & thoroughly enjoyed it,washed down with a couple of bits of lovely Black Sheep Bitter. Highly recommend it….
WE’LL be going back.
Excellent local pub
We went for a family meal while staying local for our sons graduation. This was a lovely spot for food and drinks. The staff were all extremely welcoming and helpful. We went both nights during our stay and made to feel very welcome on both occasions. I would definitely recommend to anyone staying in the area. The locals were all very warm & friendly .
Last minute dinner
Found the pub on trip advisor. Turned up 6 adults 3 kids and a dog no booking. The man behind by the bar made us welcome and because we had the dog laid out the table in the bar area the food was great and tasty and had a couple of ales on pump and both were nice.