York Historic Environment Record

Survey found that Walmgate Stray is firm land and that there were no 'hidden ditches'. Metal detecting survey produced modern military debris and an assortment of old drink cans. Area was originally believed to have been wetter, but there is little evidence to support this theor, as Jones and co. Found there was no consistent layer of alluvial material or peat in the top metre on top of the hard moraine material. The area might have acted as a potential escape route for defeated survivors from the Battle of Fulford, or possibly served as the location of the battle itself. Stray was used as a training area for the army prior to WWI. Aerial photography suggest that it could have also been reused as an assault course during WWII. 1: Easting and Northing (461959, 449959) Moraine depth (67cm) 2: (461943, 449979), (25) 3: (461911, 450016), (84) 4: (461835, 450110), (40) 5: (461815, 450138), (52) 6: (461940, 449965), (38) 7: (461923, 449990), (10) 8: (461908, 450009), (12) 9: (461872, 450055), (55) 11: (461819, 450112), (58) 12: (461816, 450159), (45) 13: (461812, 450218), (15) 14: (461798, 450224), (40) 15: (461768, 450215), (15) 16: (461752, 450201), (12) 17: (461899, 449940), (43) 18: (461842, 449922), (20) 19: (461801, 449983), (5) 20: (461762, 450034), (20) 21: (461734, 450052), (25) 22: (461682, 450144), (10) 24: (461665, 450186), (54) 25: (461734, 450223), (5)