Crosby Ravensworth is a village four miles E. by N. of Shap, and five miles S.W. of Appleby-in-Westmorland, in an area of great antiquity with some 90 sites of prehistoric village settlements nearby. The church St. Lawrence, is 15th. century but its origins are 11th. century.

The parish of Crosby Ravensworth has an area of about 23 square miles and contains three villages with Crosby at the centre, Maulds Meaburn 1m to the North and Reagill 2m to the NW of Maulds Meaburn.

St Lawrence's church looks largely Victorian from the outside but features of the earlier 13th century building remain. The tower, surmounted by its small offset octagonal spire, provides a distinctive landmark in the valley. (Source : Beyond Black Dub - Crosby Ravensworth Parish Council) The south transept was built by the Dent family of Maulds Meaburn and on the north side is the chapel of the Threlkeld family.

Dalebanks Beck flows through the village, past St Lawrence's Church and joins the Lyvennet just beyond the church at Monks Bridge near the old school.

The term Crosby, from the Latin crux, a cross, and by, a town or village, is the first name of several places, but it is invariably followed by some distinctive second part to the name. Ravensworth, was in ancient times frequently written Ravenswath, and sometimes Ravensthwaite, but whether it got its name from the Danish standard, Raffen, or from it being an area noted for ravens, or from its location, has not been discovered.
The word thwaite, which refers to a level ground inclosed with hills and wood, would fit the landscape of this secluded area quite nicely.

Crosby Ravensworth fell can be accessed from a bridleway called "Slack Randy" and can be the starting point for many walks. The path can be found at the South end of the village just past Croft House Farm (shown in the photograph) on the road to Orton.

Croft House is a well established B&B and can accommodate parties of up to 20 diners for an evening meal. It has a table licence and has an extensive menu which includes many farmhouse delicacies. You can obtain a menu by phoning 01931 715 286.

Two villages nearby, and within 1 mile of each other, Reagill and Sleagill are within different parishes. Reagill, whose early name was Renegill (or Reynard's Gill - the fox valley), is part of the Crosby Ravensworth parish. One of its residents - Thomas Bland was responsible for several monuments in the area. One is in Maulds Meaburn, another, Black Dub, is at the head of the Lyvennett, and the figure of Britannia an be found on the Shap Wells Hotel.
Sleagill meaning "trickling stream" is part of the parish of Morland and is on the old Roman road that passes through to Sandwath bridge.