This site is Alnwick's original recreation ground, where modern sports were first played in the town. It was first enacted for "public amusements" by the Duke of Northumberland and the Freemen in 1760. It is shown on the 1850s Ordnance Survey maps as the "Play Ground" - an unmaintained lot of land around pasture and farmland.

I struggle to find any reference to the grounds in newspapers before 1855. At this time it hosted the Alnwick Gymnastic games, held in permission of the magistrates and freemen. They were held under the patronage of the Duke of Northumberland and the Officers. A race course 150 yards in length and 50 yards in diameter was corded off forming an area where "different prizes were contended for". Tents for refreshments were added as was a large concourse for spectators. Trains containing hundreds from Newcastle, Shields & Berwick arrived to watch the games which features Quoits, Putting the Ball, foot racing, pole vault and high jump. There was also meant to be hurdles, but the rain rendered many of the events impossible. These events were held every year, so undoubted there was at least a couple before 1855. In a later edition of 1859, cricket was played here against the Morpeth club.

The land was also used for drilling by the Northumberland Lt. Infrantry Militia, as per a dispute with the freemen charging them for use of land. Disputes arose as it was thought to be "public" ground. Battys Great London Circus was also held here in 1878 featuring 140 horses, 40 ponies, 32 carriages and 60 artists - quite the show for a little turn which I'm sure journeyed here in part to charm the Duke.

It is also said this is where association football was first played in Alnwick. As per information from Alnwick Town FC, it is where the town first learned how to play the game (rather than Shrovetide on the castle lawn!). It was certainly regularly used for this purpose by 1886 as Alnwick Association Football Club had their crossbars stolen from here by an Edmund Marr, a blacksmith. They were cformed in 1882 and had a full fixture list within a couple years against reams like Tyne Association, Newcastle Rangers (meaning they played at St James' Park), Rothbury and Derwent Rovers. They also took part in the FA Cup, playing against Corbridge on 14/01/1882 though at the Waggon Ways football field.

Cricket & football continued to be played here into the turn of the century. The London and North British Works played host to Lesbury here in a cricket bout, and Alnwick St Andrews Juniors played Felton and won 5-0 in 1894. Alnwick Albion. It's worth noting even at this stage it was just a sodden ground with no infrastructure, much to the complaints of many. A piece in the Alnwick Guardian of 1900 complains of the lack of seats, and that rest & recreation be seen as undividable,

By 1902, a new recreation ground was mooted for the town for cricket and football purposes. With this said though, it continued to be used for football. Alnwick United and Alnwick Caxtonians played here in 1907 with "the incline" in the Caxtonians favour, further highlighting the unsuitability of the land.

It remains public recreation land today, though is not used for such purposes and is likely used for dog walkers and the like.

Thanks to Alnwick Town FC for the tip-off.