Ravensworth

Ravensworth
Ravensworth village green with its ancient sycamore tree
Ravensworth is located in North Yorkshire
Ravensworth
Ravensworth
Location within North Yorkshire
Population255 (2011 census)[1]
OS grid referenceNZ139079
• London215 mi (346 km) SSE
Civil parish
  • Ravensworth
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townRICHMOND
Postcode districtDL11
Dialling code01325
PoliceNorth Yorkshire
FireNorth Yorkshire
AmbulanceYorkshire
UK Parliament
Websitehttps://www.ravensworthvillage.com/
List of places
UK
England
Yorkshire
54°27′59″N 1°47′03″W / 54.46630°N 1.78403°W / 54.46630; -1.78403

Ravensworth is a village and civil parish in the Holmedale valley, within the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. It is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north-west of Richmond and 10 miles (16 km) from Darlington. The parish has a population of 255, according to the 2011 census.[1]

Ravensworth was historically situated in the North Riding of Yorkshire, but has been a part of North Yorkshire since 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act of 1972. The village has ancient origins, dating back to the time of Viking settlements. In it are the remains of the 14th century, Grade-1-listed Ravensworth Castle, the ancestral home of the FitzHugh family. After the FitzHugh line came to an end, the castle was abandoned. Beginning in the mid-16th century, it began to be dismantled, but the gatehouse remains almost wholly intact. There are a number of listed buildings situated around the village green, mostly dating from the eighteenth century. Many of them were constructed using raw materials from the castle.

Today, Ravensworth is primarily a commuter village, and the historically important agricultural sector now employs only a small number of people. Historically, stone mining was important to the local economy. Although it died out in the twentieth century, a sandstone quarry was recently opened just outside the village.

Amenities include a primary school, a public house and a large village green.

Ravensworth is most frequently mentioned in the media as the home of the former international cricketer Ian Botham. The village is also known regionally for the Ravensworth Nurseries horticultural business.

  1. ^ a b UK Census (2011). "Local Area Report – Ravensworth Parish (1170217181)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2018.