Judge’s Court

This alleyway off Coney Street leads into a courtyard and, beyond, a four-storey Georgian building. Between 1720 and 1806 it provided lodgings to Britain’s most senior judges before they set out to York Castle to pass sentence on serious criminal cases – including one Judge William Chapple, who in 1739 convicted the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin for horse-stealing. The building has since been used as a solicitors’ premises and is now a hotel.

Judge’s Court Folklore

The ghostly figure of a large black-clad man has been seen here, his wanderings accompanied by a metallic rattling. Years later the bones of a large man were discovered in a disused well near here. The remains of his riding boots were also found, including a broken spur…