Around the year 1018, King Canute gave the manors of Raby and Staindrop to Durham Priory. In 1131 Prior Algar granted the manor to an Anglo-Saxon named Dolfin "son of Uhtred", the earliest recorded direct male ancestor of the great Neville family which built as their seat Raby Castle in the north part of the manor. The grant was possibly merely a confirmation of the holding by this family from before the Norman Conquest of 1066. When doing homage to the Prior for his holding he reserved his homage to the kings of England and of Scotland and to the Bishop of Durham and was "no doubt a man of consequence", probably an aristocratic Northumbrian of high birth. In February 1203-4 King John confirmed to the prior and convent all their privileges and vast possessions, including "Staindrop and Staindropshire with the church".
Notable buildings
Perhaps the most famous building in Staindrop is that of Raby Castle, a medieval castle surrounded by 200 acres of deer park, situated north of the village, it was built in the late 14th century by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville and remains a private home, the seat of the Vane family, the Barons Barnard. Raby Old Lodge dates back to the 14th century, and was once an outpost of Raby Castle, it was extensively altered between 1897-1899, it is now used as holiday accomodation. Other buildings and historic features of note include Scarth Hall, built as the village hall in 1875 and used during the Second World War to provide NAAFI facilities to soldiers stationed in Staindrop, it is now used as a community hub after undergoing refurbishment in 2016. Snotterton Hall was a former fortified manor house dating back to the 15th century, demolished in 1831 and now rebuilt as a farmhouse.
Religion
The Church of England parish church of St Mary are Anglo-Saxon, built in the 10th or 11th century. The church contains monuments including effigies of members of the Neville family, it underwent restoration around 1849. A Congregational chapel also stood from 1868 until the 1970s.
The village has two schools, Staindrop Church of EnglandPrimary School with approximately to 170 pupils aged 3-11, and Staindrop School, a coeducationalsecondary school with over 500 pupils aged 11-16, it was converted to academy status in 2011, the academy also houses a community gym, opened in 2020. The last remaining public house,The Wheatsheaf is a former coaching inn, former pubs include The Black Swan, and The Royal Oak. Other amenities in the village include a SPAR convenience store, a newsagent housing the local post office, tea rooms, hairdressers and several holiday cottages. The Staindrop Carnival, an annual parade and fair, celebrated its centenary in 2020. The village football team, Staindrop F.C. play in the Wear ValleySunday League, an affiliate of the Durham County Football Association. Raby Castle Cricket Club play in the Darlington & District Cricket League A, having remained unbeaten and winning the league title in the 2019 season.
