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Ravenfield & Ravenfield Common
The simple explanation is that the village was named after a field of ravens.
Ravens are uncommon rare around here these days whilst crows are aplenty. Sounds better than Crowfield though doesn't it! Cockburn's place names contend that the name Ravenfield means
"the standard". My knowledge of Anglo Saxon English and Old Norse is small, very small but I know that raven comes from hrafn. I have never come across the word meaning standard, unless
it described the emblem on the standard. One author I have read contends that the raven was the banner of the Kings of Lothian.
To distinguish itself from the other part of Ravenfield which is called Ravenfield Common, Ravenfield is often called Ravenfield Old Village.
Yorkshire in Bloom 2007
Ravenfield - Winner in the Small Village Category
Despite some new building Ravenfield is still a small village. Estate deeds for Ravenfield Hall date back to 1435, and it is likely that the original village and church were for the workers on the estate. Until 1749 Ravenfield was owned by the Westby family but the family died out in the male line and the estate was sold to Elizabeth Parkin. Now I have come across Elizabeth Parkin several times in my reading and know that she was a wealthy businesswoman with many interests in the Rotherham area but know little else about her. A new church and a new Georgian Ravenfield Hall were built. Between 1749 and 1820 the ownership of the park changed hands several times before being bought by Walter Osborne. Between 1766 and 1778 a new system of watercourses and ponds was built and the Hall was enlarged and its surroundings remodelled.
The estate was sold in 1920. In the Second World War the Hall and park were used as a training area and then as a prisoner of war camp. There was much damage caused by explosives at this time. The Hall was burned in 1961 and the remains were demolished in 1962. The stables block and outbuildings have been converted into.
Ravenfield Old Village received the gold award in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition for 2005 for best summer display in the small village section. They also received a joint award for the spring display which means that the village has won the trophy for best entry overall in their section as well as an award for being the Most Improved Village. They have been invited to join the Britain in Bloom competition.
Ravenfield Common is about half a mile due south of the old village and would at one time have been the common land used by the villagers. Much of it is now covered by housing. It is here that you will find Ravenfield's facilities, school, pubs, shops etc.
Now in most villages the
church is the heart of the village. Not so for in Ravenfield St James' Church is set well to one side and very much out of the way. The present church was designed by John Carr in 1756
and built on the site of previous churches. The church is not generally open but there is keyholder access contact 01709 812665.
In fact there is no real village centre as there are no pubs or shops that I noticed, although there are some very nice houses in Old Ravenfield village. You have to go up to the crossroads near the Cavalier to find Ravenfield's facilities.
Other Pages to Visit
For more information about the Ravenfield area visit onsite at Ravenfield Country Park.