For those nostalgic for the days when fish and chips came wrapped in newspaper, one County Durham chip shop offers a rare glimpse of the past. Fields Fish Shop in Esh Winning has been trading since 1915 and is believed to be among the last establishments in the world still using a coal-fired range to cook its food.
The shop, now run by the fifth generation of the Field family, retains many of its original methods. Fish and chips are still served in newspaper, cooked in beef dripping, and prepared using the same batter recipe that has been used for over a century. The food is mixed using a traditional stainless steel “posser”, while the three-pan coal range is thought to be the only one of its type still operating in the UK.
Inside, the shop has changed very little in more than 100 years, aside from a refresh of the tiling in the 1950s. The traditional fittings and cooking methods have made it a local landmark, drawing attention from visitors seeking an authentic taste of the past.
The shop recently featured in a social media clip by influencer Robbie Thompson, who described it as “rarely featured on social media” and said eating there was “like being transported back in time”. The video attracted more than 26,000 likes, with one viewer commenting, “This is what you call proper British,” and another noting the fryer has been in the family since 1915 with “completely original fittings”.
Fields Fish Shop is located at 4 Durham Road, Esh Winning, in the Deerness Valley, about five miles west of Durham city centre. It operates mainly as a takeaway, with just two sets of tables and chairs indoors. Free parking is available nearby, including on-street parking and a small car park.
