Ratby village apparently has a long and interesting history. The oldest known human settlement in Ratby was at the Bury Camp on the edge of Ratby, an Iron Age encampment later used by the Romans.

The Church is the next oldest structure, built in the medieval period. There are also some cottages dating back several centuries. For most of its history, Ratby was a small agricultural village with a few farms and the open 3-field plan until enclosure in the 18th Century.

The History of Ratby: Vol 1
The story of Ratby Parish Church

Ratby Parish Council
Ratby on Wikipedia
Ratby Local History Group
Ratby Parish Walks

Ratby, OS Grid Ref: SK 511 056

One of Leicestershire’s most important monuments is in the parish of Kirby Muxloe, and is depicted on the village sign.

Built in the late 15th century by Lord Hastings, who was executed in 1483 before the building was completed, Kirby Muxloe Castle now has a Grade I listing. Standing back from the road and behind a deep wide moat, it is particularly notable for being one of the first castles in England to be constructed from brick rather than stone.

Kirby Muxloe Castle Leicestershire (An English Heritage handbook)

Kirby Muxloe Parish Council
Kirby Muxloe village web site
Kirby Muxloe on Wikipedia
Kirby Muxloe Castle

Kirby Muxloe, OS Grid Ref: SK 524 048

The village is first recorded in the domesday survey of 1086, it was then known as Scheltone. By 1279 the name had become Schulton. Both of these names relate to ’shelf’ as the town was perched on a hill. The prefix ‘Earl’ came later, possibly from the 1st Earl of Leicester.

The main industries of the village have been boot- and shoemaking (depicted in the sign), hosiery and knitwear.

This sign is one of an identical pair, the other being placed at the North East end of the village, which straddles the A47.

Earl Shilton community web site
Earl Shilton on Wikipedia

Earl Shilton, OS Grid Ref: SP 454 970