West Rainton
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| West Rainton | |
  West Rainton shown within County Durham |
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| Population | 2045 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | City of Durham |
| Shire county | County Durham |
| Region | North East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Durham |
| Fire | County Durham and Darlington |
| Ambulance | North East |
| European Parliament | North East England |
| List of places: UK • England • County Durham | |
West Rainton is a village and civil parish in the City of Durham, County Durham, England. It is situated between Durham and Houghton-le-Spring. Leamside is about 1 km to the west. The village straggles a ridge parallel to the A690 with extensive views to the west. Saint Mary's church built 1864 has a 130' spire added in 1877 that is a prominent feature of the area visible for many miles. Previously an ancient chapel stood near. The Old Hall in the centre of the village dates from 1690. A mile to the West can be found the remains of Finchale Abbey sacked by Henry viii during the dissolution. Coal mining in the area is mentioned as early as the 12th century. In Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham some 1185 men and boys were employed in the Adventure, Alexandrina and Meadow pits sunk between 1817 and 1824. The "Adventure" pit employed 389 people at its peak in 1940. Much of the newer housing in the village dates from the 50's though the pit was closed in 1978.
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