Ravensthorpe is situated in northwest Northamptonshire, approximately midway between Northampton and Rugby, eight miles northeast of Daventry, and ten miles south of Market Harborough. The M1 motorway lies six miles to the west and the nearest railway stations are at Long Buckby, Northampton and Rugby.

The oldest surviving building in the village is the church of St Denys (from circa 1290). It has had more recent restoration and rebuilding and is the only structure in the village accorded Grade II* Listed Building status.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century (1886-90), Ravensthorpe Reservoir was constructed in a valley to the northeast of the village and this remains the major landscape feature associated with Ravensthorpe today.

During the twentieth century Ravensthorpe has seen many changes to its building stock and local services, including the closure in 1962 and subsequent demolition of the village school and the demolition of the former Baptist Chapel in 1972. Today, Church Gardens and Scott Close occupy these respective sites and the nearest schools are at East Haddon and Guilsborough. Other losses during the second half of this century include a shop and a public house.

The village population peaked historically in 1821 at 620. By 1961 it had fallen to 315. In 1998 Ravensthorpe has around 240 households and a population of approximately 650.

Groups and amenities within the village today include the church, village hall (opened in 1912), playing field (a Second World War memorial, opened in 1949), Women’s Institute, bowls club, football club, mothers and toddlers group and keep fit.

Economy

The second half of the twentieth century has seen a fundamental change in Ravensthorpe’s economy. Where once most villagers were employed on the land or in local trades, the majority now commute to a wide variety of destinations, and most households have at least one car.

This is a general trend across the county and many local residents express great concern regarding the volume and speed of traffic through Ravensthorpe.

Local farms still operate, but require little extra labour and the dairy herds have disappeared. Farming however is still significant in the local economy.

Despite its small size Ravensthorpe is not purely a commuter dormitory. Businesses within the village, apart from farming, include a plant nursery, civil engineering, replacement windows, extrusions distribution, garage, hi-tech engineering, educational mailing, bootmaking and various home-based services. There is one shop/Post Office and one public house.