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The Shambles

No visit to York would be complete without a trip to the rambling beauty of The Shambles. One of the most renowned streets in Europe, The Shambles represents times gone by, with its elegant fusion of past and present.

Ideal for history enthusiasts and ardent shoppers alike, the street presents the best of York, with its character, atmosphere and cultural interest.

About the Shambles

Just a few minutes away from the Grand Hotel, The Shambles is often called Europe's best preserved medieval street, although the name is also used to collectively refer to the surrounding maze of narrow, twisting lanes and alleys as well. The street itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book, so we know that it has been in continuous existence for over 900 years.

The Shambles has transports you effortlessly back to the Elizabethan period. The houses that jostle for space along The Shambles project out over the lane in their upper stories, as if trying to meet their neighbours, opposite.

In some places the street is so narrow that if you stand with your arms outstretched, you can touch the houses on both sides.

The name "Shambles" comes from the Saxon "Fleshammels", which means, "the street of the butchers", for it was here that the city's butcher's market was located. Notice the wide window sills of the houses; the meat for sale was displayed here.

The butcher's shops have now been replaced with shops catering to visitors, including jewellery and antiques; indeed, the Shambles is now one of the premier shopping areas in the city of York.

One building of note in The Shambles is the home of Margaret Clitherow. She was arrested in 1586 on the charge of harbouring Catholic priests. To make matters worse, she had regular Masses said in her house, and hid clergy vestments there.

The authorities condemned her to death by pressing (crushing beneath a heavy weight). Margaret Clitherow was canonized in 1970, and her home is now a shrine.

The Shambles in the present day

Nowadays, The Shambles is a charming street, full of local character and quirks. It’s well worth visiting for a superb shopping experience, with independent boutiques and tasteful souvenir shops, and a delightful ‘olde world’ atmosphere. Speak with our Concierge to find out how to get to this lovely historical street, and find out more about its characteristics and history.