Rainton Meadows

Rainton Meadows is a 60-hectare protected area in County Durham with grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, and ponds arranged across the site. This mix of different habitats supports a wide range of plants and animals.

The site was formerly the Rye Hill coal mine until it became a nature reserve in 1997 under Durham Wildlife Trust management. This transformation demonstrates how damaged industrial land can be restored to create thriving habitats.

The reserve serves as an educational hub where visitors can observe and learn about different habitats and the animals that depend on them. It functions as a place where people develop their connection to the natural world through direct experience.

The reserve is located on the A690 between Durham and Sunderland, with bus services 20A and 35 stopping at Rainton Bridge nearby. Pathways around the site are clearly marked and accessible to most visitors on foot.

The area is home to uncommon bird species like short-eared owls and lapwings that are not found everywhere in the region. It also supports a notable population of water voles, which are declining across much of Britain.