Coordinates: 54°57′59″N 1°47′23″W / 54.9663, -1.7898
Ryton is a semi-rural small town near the western border of Tyne and Wear, England. Once an independent town in County Durham it became incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead in the 1970s.

History
The neighbouring village of Crawcrook is a nexus of coal mining nostalgia also. Remnants of several old pits across Ryton and Crawcrook, including Emma, Clara and Addison can still be found. Within a couple of hundred metres of both Crawcrook and Ryton main street there is rich countryside.
Perhaps the most impressive section of this countryside is Ryton Willows Local Nature Reserve located on the banks of the Tyne, just past Old Ryton Village. It consists of 43 hectares of grassland, ponds, woodland and locally-rare rare species of flora and fauna. Because of this it has been designated as a site of special scientific interest.
Further down the Tyne Valley, past the village of Crawcrook and into the border of Northumberland, there are rural market towns such as Prudhoe, Corbridge and Hexham.

Ryton today
The earliest record of a church in Ryton is in 1112. However, the oldest surving church is the The Holy Cross church, the oldest building in Ryton that dates back to 1220. The most striking feature of the church is its 13th century broach spire which is 36 m tall. Other well known artefacts include a 13th century Frosterly marble effigy of a deacon holding a book.
There have been a number of prominent rectors of Ryton. These include Thomas Secker (1727), later the Archbishop of Canterbury. Charles Thorp (1807) Virtual Founder and first warden of the University of Durham and The Hon. Richard Byron (1769) brother of William fifth Lord Byron.
Ryton's village green has a rich history with religious and social significance. It is at this green that both John Wesley and Charles Wesley preached. The green, like many greens in similar villages, played host to an annual vibrant fair which would include jugglers, dancers and local stalls.
The old pinfold dates back to the 12th century. During the second half of the twentieth century the pinfold was restored.
The annual Ryton Music Festival, held over February and March, has been held in the village for more than sixty years. It offers a variety of music and drama including choral singing and mime.
There is also the Ryton Summer festival, held at the local comprehensive school. Activities here usually include live music, sport and arts and crafts stalls.