Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre

Rainton Meadows is a nature reserve and visitor centre run by Durham Wildlife Trust, just south of Durham. The reserve combines wetland trails, bird hides and accessible paths with a visitor centre, coffee shop and WildPlay area. It's open every day from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, with the coffee shop serving from 10 am to 4 pm.

Dogs are welcome inside the visitor centre and coffee shop, which makes this one of the easiest reserve days out in the North East when you want to keep your dog with you throughout. Lead-on access across the whole reserve means your dog can join you along the trails, around the hides and through the visitor facilities without being left in the car.

There's ample parking on site and non-members are asked to make a donation for car parking. The combination of indoor welcome and outdoor trails means this works for a quick coffee stop or a proper half-day ramble with wildlife viewing and family facilities all in one place.