The Sign
The sign was erected to celebrate the Millennium in 2000. There are two themes, nautical and religious on the sign. The nautical element is represented by the large anchor across the sign showing that Rattlesden was a port or at least on the route where barges would bring cargo up the river, in this case the River Rat. An anchor was found close by in a field probably from these earlier times; the river is also shown on the sign. It is actually quite difficult to imagine this looking at the present river, which is a much smaller remnant of its former self. The sign is made up of two whalebones around the edge which can also be found on the bridge across the river, which are replicas of those once placed there by the local landowner. The religious element is represented by the church of St Nicholas in the centre and also a plaque on the top of the post where an image of the Saint can be seen.

The Name and Population
The population was 959 at the 2011 census. It was called Rattesdene 1042-66, Ratlesdena, Ratesdana in the Domesday Book and Retlesden in 1198. The name means "The valley of a man called Raetel", in Old English. The river Rat is a back-formation from the place-name.

Other Points of Interest
Thomas Cobbold (1680–1752), the brewer who established the Cliff Brewery and first member of the Cobbold family brewing dynasty, was born at Rattlesden.

The church of St Nicholas has many angels on the roof and a good collection of old and new stained glass.