SNN108091 - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for The Racecourse Park, Northampton August 2007

Northamptonshire Archaeology was commissioned by Roger Greenwood of Lanarca to prepare an archaeological desk-based assessment as part of a review of the Racecourse Park, Northampton. There is little evidence of activity on the Park in prehistoric and Roman times. The fields that would become the park were part of the demesne land of St. Andrew’s Priory from the twelfth century to sixteenth centuries. The former medieval St Bartholomew’s Church lay on the western edge. The racecourse was the site of the gallows in the eighteenth century and the official horses races on the course began in this century. Racing thrived in the nineteenth century when the course acquired a grandstand and the surrounding area developed in line with it stature. After a series of unfortunate accidents, racing ceased in 1904. In the following years the Racecourse Park was developed as a public amenity. The park was used for army encampments in both World Wars and returned to the public shortly afterwards in both cases.