AYCLIFFE, a parish in the south-eastern division of DARLINGTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM, comprising the townships of Great Aycliffe, Brafferton, Preston le Skerne, andWoodham, and containing 1379 inhabitants, of which number, 807 are in the township of Great Aycliffe, 6 miles (N.) from Darlington. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese Of Durham, rated in the king's books at £20, and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Durham; The church is dedicated to St. Acca. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. Spelman supposes Aycliffe to have been the place anciently called Acled, where synods were held in 782 and 789. The Stockton and Darlington railway passes about three quarters of a mile to the west of the village. Limestone is found in abundance; and upon the river Skerne there are a spinning-mill, and a mill for the manufacture of brown paper.