The name 'Heworth' originates in the Anglo-Saxon period meaning 'high enclosure'.
The first documentary reference is found in the Domesday book when the settlement
was held by Orm, descendent of the Earls of Northumberland (Webster-Appleton
1999, 1). During the Roman period, Heworth was largely uninhabited, becoming
bisected by the main road which extended northeast from the fortress gateway
at Monkbar (RCHME 1972, 1). In line with Roman tradition, the area became
a cemetery, cremations being found on the site as early as 1878 (ibid, 70).
This activity continued into the 5th and 6th centuries.
Throughout the medieval period, Heworth remained a rural enclave outside the
city walls, taking the name 'Heworth Moor'. The area was used for little more
than pasture, holding occasional assemblies or military parades, and thus
it remained until the Enclosure Act of 1822 (Webster-Appleton 1999, 2). However,
there is some evidence to suggest that building was taking place before this
date. Henry Batty, for example, sold his newly-built dwelling, with a stable,
to Solomen Wilkinson in 1779 (ibid, 11). Of particular note was the Dawson
family who owned a large amount of property in the area from the early 18th
century (ibid, 10).
Plate 1 1822 Enclosure map (in preparation)
The 1822 map associated with the Enclosure Act shows no building on the site at this time; however the act itself details the number of inhabitants who were occupying land within the newly enclosed area, and it is evident that a few notable families were already constructing large comfortable accommodation at Heworth (Plate 1). Many of the large villas which dominated the area in 1852 were constructed after the Enclosure Act was passed in 1822 (Plate 2). By the mid-19th century, Heworth Green alone included not only Heworth Croft, but also Crown Cottage and Heworth Grange along its boundaries. Development in the area continued to escalate throughout the century, with 'New Villa' appearing in the area in 1891. Lower-status housing was also undergoing a transformation, with both Park Place and Grove Terrace being demolished during the intervening years, to be replaced by uniform Victorian terraces.
Plate 2 1852 OS map
The present building of Heworth Croft can also be associated with this period of new development. Although labelled 'Queen's Villa' on the 1852 OS map and 'Heworth Croft' on the 1891 version, it is apparent from the plan that they represent the same building. A directory for 1843 also refers to 'Queen's Villa', but this may relate to an earlier house known to have existed on the same site (RCHME 1975, 77). Robert Cooper's map of 1832 depicts a large building at Heworth Croft. The absence of such a structure on the 1822 map suggests that it post-dates the Enclosure; however, the physical evidence shows that the present structure is a later replacement. This is reinforced by the documentary evidence; an advertisement in the Yorkshire Gazette for 1854 states that John Acaster, Vicar of St Helen's, Stonegate, built a house on the site after leasing the land from the Crown in 1842 (ibid, 77; Webster-Appleton 1999, 16).
Plate 3 1891 OS map (in preparation)
The house he built appears to have changed little since its construction in the 1840s. In 1852, it is described as having 'dining rooms, drawing rooms and a kitchen', with 'five best lodging rooms, dressing rooms and servants accommodation' above (Webster-Appleton 1999, 16). Also of note is the description of stables, coach house and piggeries, beyond which were pleasure grounds, garden and a plantation (ibid, 17). From the map evidence, it is clear that the coach house already formed part of this complex, marking the western boundary of an enclosed yard (Plate 2). The stables were probably located within the coach house itself, while the subsidiary buildings located in the yard's northern corner on the 1852 map can be identified with the suggested piggeries. The summerhouse, to the far north of the grounds, was already a formal feature of the pleasure gardens.
By 1891, the house had assumed the name Heworth Croft. It had also acquired a number of new outbuildings to the north. The OS map shows that the enclosed yard had been opened up to make room for extensions to the service wing (the present laundry) (Plate 3). The gateway had also been moved with the addition of a separate stable block which encroached upon the gardens to the north. While the encompassing pleasure grounds had changed little within view of the house, the summerhouse now formed a boundary between the apparent wilderness of the gardens and the functional formality of the plantations. New sheds were built to the northeast, concealed by a high brick wall. To the south, formal beds were planted and a small greenhouse constructed, reflecting Victorian advances in glass technology.
Plate 4 1909 OS map
Plate 5 1931 OS map
By 1909, the surge of Victorian building appears to have eased (Plate 4). However, the early 20th century did have an impact on the gardens at Heworth Croft. Between 1909 and 1931 the gardens were formalised, removing much of the openness of the earlier landscape (Plate 5). Part of this scheme is still visible on the present site, including the walled garden located along its northern boundary.
Subsequent development of the site is associated with the acquisition of the building by York St Johns College in the 1930s. The house was converted into a hostel for College residents, and remained in use until the 1950s when it assumed its current role as the Department of Physical Education and Science. Both the extension to the east and the ancillary building to the north represent late 20th century additions.