About the reserve

Rainton Meadows was created by the restoration of the Rye Hill Opencast coal mine in 1996 by UK Coal in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust and the City of Sunderland.

Home to Durham Wildlife Trust’s headquarters. The visitor centre is open seven days a week from 10am – 4pm 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 30 years. The wetlands and grasslands support a wide range of birds and more than 200 species have been recorded. Waders such as redshank, oystercatcher, lapwing are regularly seen and also more unusual species such as little ringed plover and avocets. 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.

Exmoor ponies, cattle and sheep are used to naturally manage the grasslands during the winter months, adding to the interest on site.

Bird hide access

• A bird hide day pass is available from the visitor centre shop at a cost of £3. Car keys will be accepted as a deposit.
• Durham Wildlife Trust members can buy a key from the shop or main office for £18.