York Historic Environment Record

The Knavesmire is bounded on either side by low ridges of morainic material dating back to the last ice age, the lowest area forming the scoured bed of a glacier into which the historic Knavesmire Beck flowed. This is one of the key characteristics of this area and one that has affected its archaeology and
history.

Tadcaster Road (and The Mount/Blossom Street) running along the top of the moraine has been definitely identified as the principal Roman road connecting York with Roman Tadcaster (Calcaria).

Throughout the medieval period, the Knavesmire was used as common grazing land, as part of Micklegate Stray, for the people of Dringhouses, Middlethorpe and parts of York. Small patches
of ridge and furrow exist. These are generally located to the west of the racecourse on areas less
prone to flooding. Other agricultural survivals include boundary stones relating to the division of Hob Moor and the Micklegate Stray along Tadcaster Road, a pinfold (MYO759) and Herdsman’s
Cottage c.1840 (MYO1085), all Grade II listed.

On Scarcroft allotment site stood Mount Mills, corn mills still in use in the mid 19th century. The Knavesmire was also the site of the Tyburn, one of four public execution sites in York
(MYO2238). This practice continued on the Knavesmire from the late 14th century to 1801. A small triangular shaped field known as The Flatts occupied the land between the Knavesmire
and Tadcaster Road.

The outline of the Knavesmire was established as it is today by at least 1624. Cherry Lane also dates to at least this period while Green Lane to the south was established by 1785.
The post-medieval Knavesmire Wood, located at the southwestern end of the racecourse, is now managed by The Woodland Trust. It is a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation primarily because of its central avenue of lime trees dating to the 18th century.

In the early 18th century the Knavesmire was drained and levelled. The first race meet took place there in 1731 having moved from Clifton Ings. In the 1750s a grandstand was designed by John Carr; the lower storey is the only part to survive, now incorporated into the Guiness Bar - part of Champagne Terrace. Throughout the 18th century, horse racing became important for the social and economic development of the city. Its significance declined during the first half of the 19th century, but re-emerged in the 20th century as York became one of the major racecourses in the country. The historic Knavesmire Beck, which runs roughly north-south across the Knavesmire was presumably culverted around this time. The
racecourse (MYO2239) grew between the 19th and 20th century with major developments taking place in the 1920s and later 20th century.

On July 4th 1904 Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show set up on the Knavesmire for 2 shows (morning and afternoon) before continuing with the tour to the north-east.

During the Second World War part of the Knavesmire was ploughed as well as providing a location for a searchlight battery and antiaircraft battery. A Royal Observer Corps (ROC) bunker is located on Knavesmire Road, dating to 1943. This is now used as a football club changing room. On Albemarle Road a former air-raid shelter is now used as a cricket pavilion and changing room (Character Statement 74).

* W W M Nisbet, 1973, The Strays of York (Booklet). SYO2633.