Peasholme Green

The street was established by 1000, as part of an important route leading east out of the city.[1] It was first recorded in 1269, the name "Peasholme" referring to a nearby meadow where peas were grown. It was known as "Peasholme Green" by 1563, by which time it had a roughly triangular shape, narrowing from south-west to north-east. The church of All Saints lay at its southern point from at least 1200 until its demolition in 1590, while a chapel dedicated to St Martin is believed to have lain on its north-western side, with an associated cemetery.[2]

The broad south-western end of the street was a market for pigs in the 16th century, for wool fleece in the 18th century, and then as a hay market from 1827. From 1823, it also held six annual fairs for the sale of linen, yarn, hemp and flax.[2][1][3] During this period, the road was alternatively known as "Union Street", from the Union Buildings. In 1955, Stonebow was constructed to link to the south-western end of the street, and the road layout was altered, it assuming a more uniform width.[2] It remains an important cross-city route, with large numbers of buses.[1]

The Black Swan, with King's Pool in the background

The street runs north-east from a junction with Stonebow, Aldwark and St Saviour's Place, to the York city walls at Layerthorpe Bridge, over the River Foss. There, it meets the inner ring road at a junction with Jewbury, Foss Bank, Foss Islands Road and Layerthorpe.[2]

Buildings on the north-west side of the street include the St Anthony's Hall, a 15th-century guildhall, with its 18th-century former coach house; and the 15th-century St Cuthbert's Church. On the south-east side lie The Black Swan pub, with 16th-century origins; and the King's Pool development, large government offices designed by Keith Mackenzie-Betty and completed in 1994.[2][4][5]