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Rainton Meadows

23 ha

📷 Carol Bleasdale · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome23 ha

Getting here

54.82667, -1.49181

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Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows 234m away — 14 car parks within reach

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingParking· Free

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Mallard, Lapwing, Coot +82 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Mallard, Lapwing, Coot +82 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Blackthorn, Gorse, Ramsons +30 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Blackthorn, Gorse, Ramsons +30 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly +36 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly +36 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Blackthorn, Ramsons, Meadowsweet +3 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

11 signed routes nearby · 5 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Weardale WayWalking route124 km
Named routeLength 124 kmRegional walking route
Cuddy's CorseWalking route12 km
Named routeLength 12 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
Red Clover Leaf WalkWalking route
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
Dragonfly routeWalking route
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
Shrew routeWalking route
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
Adventure Branchpublic footpath · 405 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 405 mPath type: track
🚴

Cycling

41 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Walney to Wear Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef 70National Cycle Network
Route 14Cycling route
Named routeRef 14National Cycle Network
Station to Riverside GroundCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route2.1 km
Named routeRef 70Length 2.1 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route1.2 km
Named routeRef 14Length 1.2 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route587 m
Named routeRef 70Length 587 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

6 public paths nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve

📷 Carol Bleasdale · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Hetton Lyons Country ParkUrban park3.3 km→🏞️HETTON LYONSCountry park3.3 km→✦Finchale PrioryHistoric site3.2 km→🌱Elba ParkUrban park3.3 km→✦Finchale Priory Benedictine cell: hermitage, monastic precinct and site of priory watermillHistoric site3.3 km→✦LUMLEY CASTLEHistoric site4.9 km→

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