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.

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.

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.

"[6] Saint Mary's church built 1864 has a 130-foot (39.6 m) spire added in 1877 that is a prominent feature of the area visible for many miles.

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.

[9] A mile to the west can be found the remains of Finchale Priory, sacked by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.