The Rattery parish website provides up to date information about the parish including parish council, village hall, activities and organisations events, general information and businesses and services.
Quick Links
Events and News
- Agenda for Parish Assembly to be held on Tuesday 8 April 2025
- Agenda for Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 8 April 2025
- Rattery Plant Sale Saturday 3 May 2025
- Wildlife Council of the Year is Rattery Parish Council.
- The Big Skirts in Concert St. Mary’s Church, Rattery Thursday 1 May at 7.00 PM
- NOTICE OF ELECTION Election of Devon County Councillors on Thursday 1 May 2025
- Representation of the People Acts
- Citizens Advice South Hams Newsletter
Rattery Village and Parish
Rattery nestles in the hills on a plateau between the Harbourne and Dart valleys on the edge of Dartmoor.
With a rainfall of around 700mm per year there are many streams and the village has been inhabited for many centuries. Aerial photographs taken in 1983 show crop marks suggesting some evidence of prehistoric settlements (with some of Roman origins) in the parish.
There are several ideas about the origins of the name of Rattery. It may have come from Rathe Erse, meaning mound or fortification on a hill, a good description of its location. The name changed over the years to, for example; Rottruwe, Rottrue, Ratreu, Ratreueford, Radetre, Radetru, Rattriewe, Ratterie, and Ratworthie. Among many other variations the syllable “tru” (and its variations) was Saxon in origin meaning “trusted way” as at True Street, between Totnes and Berry Pomery and Wadstray near Blackawton.

Adapted from The Book of Rattery, a portrait in words and pictures – compiled by the people of Rattery. Chapter 1, The origins of Rattery Village and the Parish. (Halsgrove 2001).
