Explore the Shambles in York

Shambles is one of the world’s most famous streets. The Shambles in York (officially just ‘Shambles’) is a narrow street of mostly timber buildings that date back as far as the 13th Century. The street was originally home to butchers, with each shop specialising in a different meat. While the street is still home to a butcher, the rest of the street is now filled with a bright mix of mostly independent retailers. A trip to the Shambles is a must for any visit to York. York continually tops polls as a beautiful city, to live work and visit. When it does, it is the Shambles that is featured on the accompanying photographs. In fact, it was even the inspiration behind the look of Diagon Alley in Harry Potter!

The street has a colourful history that led to one former resident, Margaret Clitherow, becoming a Catholic Saint. She was tortured and executed for harbouring a Catholic Priest during the time of Reformation. Her husband was a butcher on the street, and they lived as a family above the shop. Although there is only one butcher left on the street, a number of the shops still have meat-hooks hanging outside and, below them, shelves on which meat would have been displayed. The shops currently include a mixture of eateries and gift shops, but there is also a ghost shop, sweet shop and a coin shop. You’re spoiled for choice when shopping in York Shambles. There’s a brilliant range of independent businesses selling great products, from foodie treats to jewellery, clothing and accessories. There is a vibrant market situated just off the main Shambles street which is home to lots of traders and a food court.