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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

Durham Wildlife Trust
Rainton Meadows
Chilton Moor
Houghton le Spring
Tyne and Wear
DH4 6PU

Tel: +44 0191 584 3112

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Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
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About

Home to Durham Wildlife Trust’s headquarters. The visitor centre is open seven days a week from 10am – 4.30pm as is the nature-themed WildPlay area. The centre has a range of facilities including toilets, a classroom, meeting rooms and a coffee shop.

There is an excellent network of accessible pathways linking viewing areas that look across the lakes and wetlands, with areas of grassland and woodland completing the habitats on site.

Although a relatively new site Rainton Meadows has developed into a significant area for wildlife over the last 20 years. The wetlands and grasslands support a wide range of birds and over 200 species have been recorded. Waders such as redshank, oystercatcher, lapwing are regularly seen and also more unusual species such as little ringed plover. All five species of UK owl can be seen at different times of the year and there are good numbers of warblers, finches, tits and farmland birds.

Stoat, weasel, brown hare and roe deer are regularly seen and the wetlands attract numerous dragonflies and damselflies. Butterfly numbers are also high, particularly grassland species.

Native breed cattle are used to naturally manage the grasslands during the winter months (all grazing is within fenced compartments) adding to the interest on site.

Book Tickets

Prices

Access to Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre is free but non-members are asked to make a donation for car parking.

Awards

  • Regional and MiscellaneousNorthern Saints Trails Passport Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.2 of 5 stars
125 reviews
    • Excellent
      64
    • Very Good
      39
    • Average
      13
    • Poor
      7
    • Terrible
      2

    Recent Reviews:

    • AudsMc83
      Houghton-le-Spring, United Kingdom
      Idyllic nature spot with a great little coffee shop
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 23rd July 2024
      Visited for a Saturday morning walk and decided to have a pit stop at the coffee shop. I grabbed a tea and a delicious piece of lemon shortbread to enjoy in my favourite spot which overlooks the... Read full review
    • helle a
      Hartlepool, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      A little jewel!
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 10th March 2025
      The coast was full of mist and no sun, so I decided to drive inland and found this lovely nature reserve and lots of sunshine. The cafe offers freshly made sandwiches, panini, homemade cakes and... Read full review
    • Charliebridge
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      LOVELY VISIT
      4 of 5 stars
      Friday, 21st March 2025
      Excellent walk in the sun today and was able to pre book their mobility scooter which was very useful. I would just mention that a Radar key is essential to access all paths. I need to make a special... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2025

    Access Information

    Opening Times

    2025 (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)

    * Car park barriers now open from 9.30 – 4.30

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DurhamWildlifeTrust/

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