Ratley is a village in the civil parish of Ratley and Upton, South Warwickshire, England. It lies on the north west side of the Edge Hill escarpment about 200m above sea level. As well as a traditional village hall there is a reasonable sized sports pitch which can be used by the public with football goals and children's play equipment.
The remains of a 12th-century motte and bailey castle are just outside the village,[1] and the 14th-century Church of England parish church is dedicated to St. Peter ad Vincula. Inside is a book where people with the surname of Ratley can sign their names. One of the two village pubs, named The Rose & Crown is of interest as at 900 years old, parts of it are older than the church. It is also a Grade I listed building. The Battle of Edge Hill, the first battle of the English Civil War, was fought very near the village. The old Church of England school and local Post Office buildings are still standing but have been converted into houses.
Upton House is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from the village. It houses a fine art collection and is managed by the National Trust.[2] In 1922 the Edge Hill Light Railway was built through the village to carry ironstone from a local quarry. It became disused after a few years and was dismantled in 1946.[3]
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