Ravenstonedale - Probably the best parish in the world
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Welcome to the Ravenstonedale website

Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

This website gives a light hearted chronicle of life in Ravenstonedale at the time of the millennium, an historical record of the first decade in the 21st century. It records people, places and events and provides information on accommodation, local amenities and services.

Enter the site

"The morals of the people are good.. The farmers are thrifty and intelligent" (circa 1850 History & Traditions of Ravenstonedale Vol II Rev.W.Nicholls).
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Ravenstonedale Parish
Ravenstonedale is an unspoiled picturesque village lying at the foot of the Howgills in Cumbria. Nearby is the village of Newbiggin-on-Lune. These villages together with the farms and homes scattered around them form the parish of Ravenstonedale. The parish of Ravenstonedale consists of four angles - Town, Newbiggin, Fell End and Bowderdale.

Location
Ravenstonedale is located between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. It is a good location for exploring both regions. It enjoys an enviable position at the foot of the Howgills which rise from the south of the village. The Howgills can be accessed by foot from anywhere in the parish.

Farming
Ravenstonedale is a hard-working rural community with hill farming an important element of the local economy. At the turn of the 21st century farming suffered badly and hill farming was particularly hard hit. Foot and mouth impacted. But farmers in the parish remain stoical as is evidenced by the views and experiences they have aired on this website. An example of diversification following the foot and mouth epidemic in 2002 is the adopt a sheep project at Tarn House.

Tourism
Ravenstonedale now benefits significantly from tourism. Lying to the east of the M6 it is situated in the upper Eden valley and is quieter than the Lake District National Park which lies to the west of the motorway. Ravenstonedale offers tranquility for discerning visitors. While Ravenstonedale is an ideal base for those wishing to explore the Lake District National Park to the west and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the east it offers much in its own right - beautiful rolling countryside, peaceful country lanes and the nearby Howgill fells.

Accommodation in Ravenstonedale
There is a variety of accommodation available in Ravenstonedale and surrounding areas. Accommodation includes hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, self-catering cottages and traditional farmhouse accommodation. Most now have their own web sites which can be accessed from this page for more details.

The surrounding areas of Ravenstonedale
Ravenstonedale lies amid beautiful rolling countryside in the upper Eden valley. There is a wealth of scenery - fells, rivers and streams, country lanes and a myriad of footpaths that traverse the region. A photographic record of our surrounding countryside is added to the website from time to time.

Activities in Ravenstonedale
There are many activities to be enjoyed in Ravenstonedale including walking on the nearby Howgills and rolling Cumbrian countryside. You could consider walking the annual Yomp organised by the local Rotary Club of Upper Eden. Visitors are specifically catered for by local clubs and organisations. Go Fishing on the River Eden, play Tennis in Ravenstonedale, play Golf in Ravenstonedale, or take Art classes in Ravenstonedale. If you live nearby, are fit and enjoy mountain walking, you could join Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team. For a specialist sponsorship activity try the Cross Fell Challenge.

About this website
This website is maintained by Troutfly Internet. It portrays the parish of Ravenstonedale at the time of the Millennium, from the year 2000 to the present day. It is a record of people, places and activities associated with the parish and describes some of the surrounding area. The record is incomplete as much goes on and the work of recording it all is too great. Inevitably many people, events and activities go unrecorded.

The site contains a pictorial record of Ravenstonedale throughout the seasons. It is intended that the website will grow over the years to encompass social history, folklore and hitherto unforseen content. The project is not fixed in stone. It is open to development and the incorporation of technological advances.

The website features informal interviews with individuals living in the parish. It represents an attempt to portray the people who are the life blood of the community - those who farm, run the pubs or operate local businesses - those who work hard for a living or enjoy well-earned retirement. The people are interesting and have much to contribute.

This website targets those that purposefully seek out information on the parish. It enables those who pass through the parish to keep in touch. It promotes accommodation available in the parish for those that seek to visit and explains the services available in the parish for those that spend time here - visitors and locals alike. Enjoy the website!