Sign hung at site of famous gallows

AT THE turn of the 19th century, it would have been one of the most famous – and notorious – spots in York.

But throughout the intervening decades, the infamy surrounding the location of York’s Tyburn has begun to fade.

However, a new sign has been placed at the spot where the gallows used to stand on the edge of York Racecourse on Tadcaster Road to give people a clearer insight into the Tyburn’s grim history.

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York Council’s Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward Committee agreed to spend £1,500 improving the site by installing a new bench and cleaning up the area.

The funding also included installing a new sign, which was designed with members of Dringhouses History Society who provided the historical information.

Executions at the Tyburn took place until 1801 when the public events were moved to York Castle Gaol, which now houses the Castle Museum opposite Clifford’s Tower.

Probably the most famous execution at the Tyburn took place on April 7, 1739 – when the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin was hanged for horse theft at the age of 33 in front of crowds on Knavesmire.