York Historic Environment Record

This area was, until the later 19th – earlier 20th centuries, somewhat peripheral to that of the city. Much of the area was, and remains, open common land, though now used for recreation rather than grazing. There have been relatively few finds of an archaeological nature despite the ground disturbances created by suburban residential and industrial development to the north and east of the racecourse complex. Nor have the succession of development works at the racecourse itself led to the reporting of archaeological remains. The surprising palimpsest of features shown in the 1987 photographs that seemingly show drainage, racecourse and POW camp features are of some interest despite their post-medieval and modern origins.