York Historic Environment Record

There is evidence on the Stray of ridge and furrow ploughing which probably dates to the period of the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century. This usually comprises straight furrows with the ridges between being much narrower than those of the medieval period. The first block of this type of ploughing is located at the southern end of Low Moor, with ridges about 6m wide aligned in an east to west direction. The second block of Napoleonic ploughing lies between the north-eastern corner of the barracks wall and the south-eastern corner of Low Moor Allotments. The third block of ploughing is much smaller and survives at the northern end of the strip of ground running between the western boundary of The Retreat and the eastern boundary of Low Moor Allotments.

NMR Information

Full description
Napoleonic ridge and furrow cultivation. In 2004, English Heritage carried out an investigation and field survey at Level 3 standard of Walmgate Stray, as part of a national project to examine the heritage of England's urban commons (Event Record 1376159) (1).

One of three blocks of Napoleonic ridge and furrow cultivation surviving as earthworks on Walmgate Stray.

A report including a full textual description and analysis accompanied by maps, plans and photographs is available from the National Monuments Record, together with the rest of the project archive material (reference number SE 65 SW 500). (1)

Sources
1 Field Investigators Comments English Heritage: Urban Commons Project: Walmgate Stray survey

Location
UID 1403470 (SE 6166 5005)
UID 1403471 (SE 6145 5045)

NMR, 2019, NMR data (Digital archive). SYO2214.