In 1844 the Roseland Lodge of the Ancient Order of Free Gardeners celebrated their first anniversary there,[3] as well as their seventh anniversary in 1852,[4] then a celebratory supper after a ploughing match in 1858,[5] while in 1864 the Heslington Mutual Benefit Society hosted a dinner there with Francis Carr, George John de Yarburgh's land-agent, as the chair.

During the Second World War, several RAF Bomber Command locations were around Heslington, so The Charles was often filled with air force personnel.

A race by personnel atop of a stuffed rhinoceros taken from Heslington Hall was often held between the Charles and The Deramore Arms, along what is now Main Street.

[12] Joe Simpson, a fast food seller, used the car park of The Charles to sell food to students returning from a night out for six years before Bass Brewery, the owner of the pub at the time, ordered him to stop in 1998 after local residents complained.

In response, the University of York Student Union (YUSU) voted to lobby the pub and brewer to allow Joe to return.

Bill McClean, the honorary secretary of the Heslington Village Trust, stated that "These students are trainee drinkers with no ability or wish to control their inebriation.

[2] The pub continues to remain popular with a range of students, who view it as an attractive alternative to university and YUSU facilities and entertainment.

Charles XII was originally a brown colt, bred by Major Nicholas Yarburgh of Heslington Hall.