The small parish of Greencroft lies just to the north of the village of Lanchester, of which it was once part. There are few early remains here, and it is only in the medieval period that Greencroft first comes to notice, although the important Roman road Dere Street runs just to the west of the area.

{Greencroft Park] was probably the site of a deserted medieval village, although no remains can be seen here now. {Greencroft Hall D1858} was probably the site of the original manor house of the village, although the main building was heavily rebuilt in the 17th century. In the 18th century a Gothic style arch, known as Greencroft Towers, was built at the eastern entrance to the estate. An ice house and a dovecot were also built at roughly the same time. Sadly the hall fell out of use by the 1930s and it was demolished in 1954; the arch was demolished the following year as it had been in danger of collapse. Nearby cottages were abandoned at the same time.

Greencroft had traditionally been a farming area, and a small cornmill once stood close to the Newhouse Burn. However, in the 19th century coal mining became an increasingly important part of the local economy. Greencroft Pit began to be used in the early 19th century. Now, as has happened elsewhere in Durham, the coal mining industry has entirely disappeared.