The Garth

The Garth is a historic building on Marygate, immediately north of the city centre of York, in England.

The building, in 2019

The building was constructed in 1705, as the Grey Coat School, a charity school for girls. It accommodated up to 40 girls, who were fed, clothed and housed, and trained for domestic service. The school moved to Monkgate in 1784.[1] In the late 19th century, the building was partly reconstructed, with many of the windows relocated. The building was later divided into flats, with many of the larger rooms subdivided. The north-west end of the building is now a separate property, known as "Little Garth", and a small part of the building has been incorporated into the neighbouring St Mary's Cottage.[2] The building was Grade II listed in 1971.[3]

View along Marygate Lane, including The Garth

The building has an L-shaped plan. The central part of the building is three storeys high, while the right hand wing is three storeys with an attic, and the left hand wing is two storeys with an attic. The building is constructed of brick, with a pantiled roof. The windows are in a variety of styles, and include a large oriel window in the centre of the first floor, and oculus windows to the attics. Above one of the doors to Marygate is part of a carved bargeboard, which is said to date from 1635 and have been relocated from a house on High Ousegate. The facade on Marygate Lane retains some original windows, and the left-hand facade has an original entrance door. No early features survive inside the building.[2][3]