West Rainton, United Kingdom
West Rainton is a town of 2,316 people in England, United Kingdom.
Why visit West Rainton
Townapedia lists 14 museums and landmarks, 5 parks and trails, 10 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include West Rainton War Memorial, Rainton Meadows and Middle Rainton Picnic Area.
Weather in West Rainton
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About West Rainton
West Rainton is a village in the civil parish of West Rainton and Leamside, in County Durham, England. It is situated between Durham and Houghton-le-Spring. Leamside is about one-half mile (0.80 km) to the west, and the south-western end of the village is known by the separate name of Rainton Gate. The village straddles a ridge parallel to the A690 with extensive views to the west.
From the Wikipedia article West Rainton (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photos of West Rainton
Things to do1
Homer Hill Farm Shop
Farm and orchard · 0.8 mi
Pittington Road, Houghton-le-Spring
Museums and landmarks14
2 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds5
Restaurants and cafes10
History
The naming of the township was after one of the seven monks who followed the body of St Cuthbert from Lindisfarne to Durham. Spellings of this name Reingwald have included Reynington, Reynoton, Reynton, and Rayntona.
The area belonged to the Prior and convent of Durham and was densely wooded, a park keeper being recorded as appointed in 1338.
In 1657 Richard Marshall assigned a tenement and farm holding in West Rainton to Marmaduke Allenson. It then passed into the hands of West Rainton's more famous son – Sir John Duck, 1st Baronet – a Dick Whittington of the North East of England. He owned and built Rainton Hall around the year 1688.
The following is from History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894; "The village of West Rainton is about four miles north-east of Durham, and formerly contained an ancient chapel with chantry dedicated to the Virgin Mary; some of the old stones may be seen in the different buildings in the village. The Old Hall, situated in the centre of the village, was built about 1690, by Sir Jno. Buck, [sic] now in a state of dilapidation, and let in tenements occupied by pitmen. There is a library, reading, and news-room here. There are two batteries of the Second Durham Artillery Volunteers, having a drill-hall here, built by the Marquess of Londonderry in 1880, the headquarters being at Seaham Harbour."
From the History section of West Rainton on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from West Rainton
- Martin WardEnglish boxer, born 1988
- Marcus GrahamBritish entomologist
Born in West Rainton, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay4
The Chilton Country Pub and Hotel
Motel and hotel · 1.4 mi
Black Boy Road, Houghton-le-Spring
Churches and places of worship5
St Cuthbert's Church
Church · Anglican · 1.0 mi
Quarry House Lane, Houghton-le-Spring
St Michael and All Angels Church, Houghton-le-Spring
Church · 2.2 mi
Gas and EV charging1
Schools, colleges and libraries2
Healthcare1
Map of West Rainton
43 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Newcastle International Airport (NCL) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 17 miles away.
- East Rainton 1 mi northeast, about 2 min by car
- Hetton-Le-Hole 2 mi east, about 3 min by car
- Houghton-Le-Spring 2 mi northeast, about 3 min by car
- Sherburn Hill 3 mi south, about 5 min by car
- Durham 4 mi southwest, about 7 min by car
- Chester-le-Street 4 mi northwest, about 7 min by car
- Washington 6 mi north, about 9 min by car
- Seaham 6 mi east, about 10 min by car
- Witton Gilbert 6 mi west, about 9 min by car
- Ryhope 6 mi northeast, about 10 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near West Rainton
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Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- Mapillary (see each image): photos
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- St Mary's Parish Church, West Rainton, Feenee, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Reredos at St Mary's Church, West Rainton. By Antonio Salviati 02, TheFeenee, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Reredos at St Mary's Church, West Rainton. By Antonio Salviati 01, TheFeenee, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rainton Meadows, Jimmy Pitt, CC BY-SA 3.0
- StMaryWR2, Russ Hamer, CC BY-SA 3.0
- StMaryWR1, Russ Hamer, CC BY-SA 3.0
- WRaintonPO, Russ Hamer, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 1NorthSt, Russ Hamer, CC BY-SA 3.0
- WRaintonCommon, Russ Hamer, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Street-level photo, stevenhorner, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, stevenhorner, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, stevenhorner, CC BY-SA 4.0
Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.