Dick Turpin’s grave

Beyond the city centre, opposite St. George’s Church not far from Walmgate Bar, lies a small forgotten cemetery. Few gravestones remain and the area is mostly used as a public park. One stone however, recording the spot where friends brought the famous highwayman, Dick Turpin, for burial after his execution at the York Tyburn: “Richard Palmer alias Richard Turpin, notorious highwayman and horse stealer. Executed at Tyburn, April 7th 1739”.

A ghostly figure on horseback has been seen from time to time in the area.

Turpin was born in Essex in 1705. His criminal career began as an apprentice butcher – he decided to reduce his costs by stealing cattle for meat. Thereafter, he abandoned butchery for a life of robbing smugglers, posing as a revenue officer. He joined the notorious Gregory’s Gang, then assumed the role of a highwayman, living in a cave near Epping Forest and raiding the roads in that area. As his notoriety grew, he fled the country for Holland but later returned, this time to Yorkshire. With a residence at Welton in the Wolds, he posed as John Palmer, a well-heeled country gentleman. Following a fracas with a local man, he was arrested and his true identity discovered. On the day of his hanging in York, a huge crowd turned out to witness Turpin in the flesh – proof of his already-legendary status.