Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre

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.

The visitor centre has a range of facilities including a coffee shop, classroom, meeting rooms, toilets plus a nature-themed WildPlay area. 

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.

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.

Exmoor ponies and sheep are used to naturally manage the grasslands during the winter months (all grazing is within fenced compartments) adding to the interest on site.

In 2021 work took place to develop a new Reedbed at Rainton Meadows, funded by Biffa Award.

Find out more here.

The Nature Reserve is open 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Christmas opening hours are published in December.

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve
Chilton Moor
Houghton-le-Spring
Tyne & Wear
DH4 6PU

0191 584 3112
Access: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Coffee Shop: 10am – 4pm 
WildPlay: 10am – 4pm

We’re dog friendly! Well behaved humans & dogs are welcome inside our Visitor Centre and Coffee Shop.

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

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.

For details about hiring Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre for your event, please visit our Room Hire section.