CLIFTON WITHOUT is a township and parish, forming a populous suburb of York, on the north-western side of the city and partly on the north bank of the Ouse, in the Thirsk and Malton division of the Riding, union of York, Bulmer wapentake, petty sessional division of Bulmer East, county court district of York and in the rural deanery, archdeaconry and diocese of York. Under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894,” the ancient township, with the exception of the asylum and Rawcliffe, has been included within the limits of the city, the remainder being known as Clifton Without. The Esplanade, a beautiful walk along the bank of the river Ouse to York, is a favourite promenade during the summer months. Lord Lucas and Dingwall P.C. and Robert C. De Grey Vyner esq. of Tupholme Hall, Gautby, Horncastle, are lords of the manor. The soil is loam; subsoil, clay. The area is 1,089 acres, and belongs to several proprietors, and 9 of water; rateable value, £6,985; the population in 1911 was 799, including 137 officers and 778 inmates of the asylum.

About a mile north is the North Riding County Lunatic Asylum, a handsome Elizabethan building, erected in 1847 at a cost of 40,000, enlarged in 1855 at an additional cost of £21,000, & again in 1909 at a cost of £20,000. The asylum now provides for 900 patients; it is pleasantly situated on the north bank of the river Ouse & is surrounded by extensive & well arranged pleasure &, airing grounds.