The street has been part of the main route running south and west from York from the Roman Eboracum area onwards.

The Roman road to Calcaria (now Tadcaster) and on to Londinium (London) ran immediately north-west of the current line of the street.

There was formerly a grass margin, used as grazing for cattle on their way to the city's market, but around 1800 they were replaced with cobbles, which survive and are now used for parking.

Park Street, Scarcroft Road, Mill Mount and Albemarle Road lead off its south-eastern side, while Mount Parade, Dalton Terrace, Driffield Terrace and St Aubyn's Place lead off its north-western side.

[31] The Elm Bank Hotel, dating from 1870, is the sole grade II* listed building on the street.