The Shambles in York claims to be Europe’s oldest shopping street and it’s best known for its period properties that almost touch across the street as the levels go up.
The houses here have been lived in for hundreds of years, although they’ve also been places of work for just about as long. Originally they were the homes of butchers who sold their meat from the front room. In fact, that’s where the street gets its name from as it means slaughterhouse or meat market. In ancient times hygiene left something to be desired and the cobbled street down the centre would have had all kinds of animal remnants thrown into it. On some of the properties in the Shambles you can still see the meat hooks outside.
Today the street is packed with traders of all kinds from gift shops to tea rooms. The street often gets busy and it’s tiny, so at peak times don’t expect to be able to stand in the middle of a large crowd taking photos. If you want to stop for tea here, a popular choice is the Earl Grey Tea Rooms where you can sit under the oak beams and sip your tea surrounded by tapestries. Other shops in today’s street include fudge makers, gift shops and jewellery stores.
Also on the Shambles, look out for the home of Margaret Clitherow and the associated shrine which marks this as she has since been declared a saint.
LOCATION & MAP
The Shambles, more correctly known as simply Shambles, is right in the centre of York off the road called Pavement with ‘snickleways’ that lead to the Market.
MORE ON THE SHAMBLES
The Shambles – Wikipedia
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour – Stops at major locations in York
VisitYork.org – Official York Tourism Website
York Pass – Free entry to York’s attractions
York Hotels – We recommend Hotels.com with their lowest price guarantee
Grange Hotel – Our recommended hotel in York
York Pocket Guide – Amazon.co.uk
York City Guide – From our sister site, Free-City-Guides.com