Wikipedia
Rainton is a village in the Harrogate borough of North Yorkshire, England. It is situated about 6 miles north of Boroughbridge, 5 miles north-east of Ripon and 5 miles south-west of Thirsk. It is a picturesque village with a village green and a maypole. There are approximately 120 houses in Rainton including six listed buildings- several period farm houses, a smithy and a dovecote. The local vernacular building style is sandstone and cobble construction with slate or pantile roof. It is a tranquil North Yorkshire village where life revolves around the many activities at the village hall and the two village pubs.
Rainton was a largely agricultural village but since 2000 it has become a more fashionable commuter village, largely due to its close proximity to the A1 road. This in turn has led to a steep increase in property prices which is evidenced by the large number of barn conversions and property renovations. Despite becoming more commuter orientated, Rainton has a strong community spirit, holding Christmas parties for local children, lunches for the retired folk, and a host of other social events including a gardening club.
Rainton is the principal settlement in the civil parish of Rainton with Newby. Newby, historically known as Newby-on-Swale, is a deserted medieval village, now occupied by Baldersby Park (also known as Newby Park), the home of Queen Mary's School.