NEHL - Horse races were held on Charlaw Common, between Witton Gilbert and Sacriston, in the 1730s. The single most substantive piece of evidence is an advertisement from the Newcastle Courant of 29/09/1739, detailing a two day meeting in October with all horses to be run for the cost of three guineas and to be entered at the house of Mrs Anne Smith at Witton. Horses were permitted to stay at the innkeepers stable til the day of running, and that no person was allowed to set up tent or sell alcohol apart from those paying and attending.

This common land has all been enclosed and partly wood, allotments and housing. The last remaining sign of the area itself is Charlaw Terrace, which stands on the racecourse at Sacriston.