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    Recommended Reviews - The Shambles

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    Jo W.

    The Shambles in York is, of course, famous for being the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. While I grew up as a Harry Potter fan, I'm not a die-hard, and came here since a day trip to York was on the intinerary for our kidlit writers' group. Now that I've been to the Shambles, I honestly don't feel the need to go again. While it's undeniably quaint with its overhanging timber-framed buildings and narrow cobbled street, I found it to be quite crowded and, dare I say, a bit overrated. It felt more like a tourist bottleneck than a charming historical street, especially with the sheer volume of people trying to navigate its narrow pathways. The magic of its appearance was somewhat diminished by the constant jostling. That said, my overall experience in York was still positive! While The Shambles itself wasn't a highlight for me, I absolutely loved getting a classic touristy photo holding an owl on my arm in York Park. That was a truly memorable and fun experience that captured a bit of the magical essence I was hoping for in York.

    The street said to be inspiration for alley in Harry Potter movies
    Betsy B.

    The shambles is an area where there is shopping including food, jewelry, clothing, antiques and more. There is an open air market as well as the street with old buildings said to be an inspiration for the alley in Harry Potter films

    Casey M.

    It is a must to visit the Shambles while in York, a quirky little shop lined street that used to be butcher shops but are now Harry Potter Diagon alley inspired shops, chocolate shops, tea rooms and quirky little shops with cool little pieces. I suggest visiting Little Saffrons, its small but they have some lovely things like crystals and fairies and unicorns and pretty little things. It is a great atmosphere on the Shambles especially if you happen to be there when the snow machines are on and it looks magical. I also managed to visit the Shambles early when it was practically deserted and it was just me and the pigeons, no shops were open but it was great to wander without having to move through hordes of people. It is like a maze, you never know what is round each corner but its fabulous and I loved it.

    Walkway
    Francine L.

    The Shambles is a very cute and super old spot in York where it has plenty of small and unique stores to go into. Many for sure are for tourist but overall the feel of walking on this block is amazing. I seriously felt like I was back in time during those Jack the Ripper days. But hey to each their own I would totally say this spot is great for taking photos, buying some chocolates, fudges, drinks or buying overall English souvenirs for your friends. I decided to walk into each and every store front to see what many of them had. They have Harry Potter items and even potions to drink. Overall if you have children this place would be very entertaining for them and a great spot to buy child friendly toys/ gifts for them. It's not very large so it is very very walkable and I felt like many of the stores are quite unique. Don't be afraid to walk into the store and see what they have to offer you might be surprised of what you could find.

    Luke T.

    Lots of history, but this tourist was looking for cobblestone, narrow winding streets, short building and that unmistakleable, ye old english feeling. and sure enough, the Shambles deliver. It may not be historically accurate, but Hollywood said this was it and so I believe. Its super busy and bustling short street with many touristy things to do. You have your souvenir stores, the tea stores, the random Viking store, the knick knacks and even a few chocolate and candy stores. But the hit seems to be the 2 stores that sell Harry Potter merchandise. After all, this little alley inspired the scene of Diagon Alley. Also... there were quite a few kids with wizard robes walking around too.. So that was pretty cool.. We visited in all hours, even when it was super late around 11ish when it was mostly empty. Never failed to 'transport' me into that ye olde english era.

    Hannah S.

    Definitely must visit when you're in York! Very quaint and historic part of the city! It was fun just to walk along and see the old buildings...they were leaning so much up top that they looked like they were about to fall into each other! Lots of great restaurants and shops too! We were there on a Sunday morning and they even had a little farmers market type thing going on.

    Start of the street
    Daniel H.

    Good god, this is where history walks right up to you, grins and then punches you in the face so you really know it's there in front of you! The history, the architecture, the tight narrow alleys leading off the main road to who knows where. You just soak this whole area up! Every where you look is something new/interesting/bizarre/cute/funny/insert-adjective-here. There's little shops with food, knick knacks or curiosities. It all seems pretty genuine, and not at all touristy (which is the best kind of touristy). I absolutely loved my walk through here, and I came back again later in the day for another crack at it.

    Above the sign are original hooks used by the butchers to display meat
    Ellen M.

    The Shambles is a great place to step back in time get a view of old York. There are maintained buildings that are still in use, some of which still have original hooks which were used as meat displays. The street is very narrow, winds this way and thay, and the road is cobblestone. The sidewalks slope toward the road, as the butchers relied on this for the blood run-off. Some buildings jut past their foundations on upper levels, as apparently assessments were done according to the building footprint. These days, it's a popular tourist attraction, so check it out, but maybe in the earlier morning or later at night. The rest of the time, there are tons of humans shopping and taking photos. Speaking of the shopping, they've got just about everything. Food, gifts, boutiques, men's clothing, etc. Do stop in the York Sausage Shop for a savory pie - great, delicious picnic meal.

    The Street
    Callum T.

    What a street, its just like walking into diagon alley from Harry Potter which is strange really as there are not one but two Harry Potter shops on it. The street is very quirky with some wonderful buildings housing an array of shops and cafes. Defo worth a visit if you have time but do bear in mind when it gets busy it gets BUSY, a small street with lots of people. If you don't mind that then why not travel back in time as you walk down this street.

    Qype User (fiver2…)

    We found The Shambles to be slightly overhyped, maybe it was because there were just so many people it was impossible to look around properly. The modern For Sale signs also made it more difficult to image what it would have been like when it was first built. One a quiet day I imagine its nice to walk down and imagine how life was in those days. The shops were all independents which does add a little bit to the authenticity.

    The outdoor market area.

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    The Shambles Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Shambles

    How cool is it that this 14th century medieval street is still in existence and in such great condition?

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    Barley Hall - Barley hall with stocks.

    Barley Hall

    4.6(5 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    My wife and I visited Barley Hall in September 2024. It was an afterthought, having bought tickets…read moreto the Jorvik Viking museum, this was a small additional fee. But it was worth it. Not a long visit, probably an hour or so. There are several rooms to explore, each with laminated info cards to pick up and read the history and purpose. Interactive games for kids learning too. Along with the Jorvik museum, this gave us a really good insight to medieval life in York. It makes sense to get the package, even though we did not have time to visit the other 2 attractions in the package. Finding the Hall was an adventure in itself, tucked away down a narrow lane, under an archway into a courtyard. We were there on a weekday, at the end of the day, and it was not busy. We were able to take our time and enjoy the exhibit.

    Coffee Yard is a snickelway that runs between Stonegate -- a very fashionable address in the later…read moremiddle ages a site tucked away in one of its back alleys--Barley Hall, a fifteenth-century townhouse in Coffee Yard. A house occupied by one of Richard III's urban supporters. One of the emerging middle class that gave such strong allegiance to the Yorkists. Barley Hall is a stunning medieval townhouse, once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York. Until the 1980s the house was hidden under the relatively modern façade of a derelict office block. Only when the building was going to be destroyed was the amazing medieval building discovered and its history uncovered. Barley Hall's medieval origins had been long forgotten by 1980, when it appeared to be a jumble of brick structures. Ironically, millions of tourists had literally walked right through what was originally an internal corridor of the L-shaped house as they used the Coffee Yard snickelway (an alley-like passageway from one street to another) to travel from busy Stonegate to Swinegate and Grape Lane. I am not sure but I think I stood in a coutyard, that I ten realised wasn't, that may have been a part of this. It was a roofless room and I was looking at interior walls. The building has now been lovingly restored to its original splendour with stunning high ceilings, beautiful exposed timber frames, and possibly the only horn window in England. It has been decorated to replicate what it would have looked like as the Snawsell home around 1483 and boasts a magnificent Great Hall. It is a hands-on living museum, letting visitors experience life in a 15th century house in the centre of York. This is one historic attraction where you are encouraged to touch and pick up exhibits. Sit on the chairs, open chests, and generally explore the house as you choose,and experience what it would have been like to live in Medieval England.. They also have many events. In July and August medieval summer schools for children and coming up: Thu 27 - Sun 30 Nov 2008 St Nicholas Fayre Medieval Market Wed 3 - Sat 6 Dec 2008 Deck the Hall A Medieval Christmas Thu 4 Dec 2008 Barley Hall by Candlelight Sat 6, Sun 7 Dec 2008 Barley Hall Christmas Fayre Wed 10 - Sat 13 Dec 2008 Deck the Hall A Medieval Christmas Thu 11 Dec 2008 Barley Hall by Candlelight Sat 13, Sun 14 Dec 2008 Barley Hall Christmas Fayre Wed 17 - Sat 20 Dec 2008 Deck the Hall A Medieval Christmas You can follow costumed guides as they escort groups through the hall, or hire an audio tape tour. On summer weekends there are special period events, such as mystery plays and medieval markets. Great place to visit.

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    Barley Hall
    Barley Hall
    Barley Hall

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    Shrine Of The St. Margaret Clitherow

    Shrine Of The St. Margaret Clitherow

    4.4(5 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    We visited this small shrine in the Shambles devoted to St Margaret Clitherow an English saint and…read moremartyr of the Roman Catholic Church, known as "the Pearl of York". It was quiet within. We were the only people there as the outside street which I'm told was claimed (and refuted) as the inspiration for Diagon Alley was crammed with visitors. If you are close by indulging in the fantasy world of this street with potion shops and wizards take 5 minutes here for reality to sink in. State killings were breathtakingly savage back then, on the orders of kings and courts, often in the name of religion (mind you some states in the USA inappropriately use lethal chemicals by injecting them into prisoners to kill them cruelly today). St Margaret was one of five children of Thomas and Jane Middleton. Her father was a businessman, a wax-chandler and Sheriff of York in 1564, who died when Margaret was fourteen. In 1571, she married John Clitherow, a wealthy butcher and a chamberlain of the city, and bore him three children; the family lived at today's 10-11 The Shambles. She was pregnant with her fourth child when murdered. She converted to Roman Catholicism in 1574. Although her husband, John Clitherow, belonged to the Established Church, he was supportive as his brother William was a Roman Catholic priest. He paid her fines for not attending church services. She was first imprisoned in 1577 for failing to attend church, and two more incarcerations at York Castle followed. Her third child, William, was born in prison. Margaret risked her life by harbouring and maintaining priests, which was made a capital offence by the Jesuits, etc. Act 1584. She provided two chambers, one adjoining her house and, with her house under surveillance, she rented a house some distance away, where she kept priests hidden and Mass was celebrated through the thick of the persecution. Her home became one of the most important hiding places for fugitive priests in the north of England. Local tradition holds that she also housed her clerical guests in The Black Swan at Peasholme Green, where the Queen's agents were lodged. Margaret was arrested and called before the York assizes for the crime of harbouring Catholic priests. She refused to plead, thereby preventing a trial that would entail her three children being made to testify, and being subjected to torture. She was sentenced to death and executed on Lady Day, 1586, (which also happened to be Good Friday that year) in the Toll Booth at Ouse Bridge, by being crushed to death by her own door, the standard inducement to force a plea. The two sergeants who should have carried out the execution hired four desperate beggars to do it instead. She was stripped and had a handkerchief tied across her face then laid across a sharp rock the size of a man's fist, the door from her own house was put on top of her and loaded with an immense weight of rocks and stones so that the sharp rock would break her back. Her death occurred within fifteen minutes, but her body was left for six hours before the weight was removed. She was canonised in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

    Known as the pearl of York Margaret Clitherow was an English saint and martyr. She was crushed to…read moredeath by her own door in 1586 for refusing to admit to harbouring catholic priests. Beggars were hired by sergeants to have Margaret laid naked on a rock, with her own door on top of her and loaded with the weight of rocks which eventually killed her. At the time of her execution she was pregnant with her 4th child. This plaque can be found at the Shambles where Margaret lived.

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    Shrine Of The St. Margaret Clitherow
    Shrine Of The St. Margaret Clitherow
    Shrine Of The St. Margaret Clitherow

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    St. Martin-Le-Grand Church

    St. Martin-Le-Grand Church

    4.5(2 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    St Martin's clock is situated on Coney Street, it features a figure of a naval officer which was…read moreadded in 1779. The church in which the clock was situated was badly damaged by bombing in World War II and the clock was last restored when the church reopened in the 1960s and the restored clock will now strike the hours and chime every quarter for the first time since 1942.

    St Martin's is one of York's most notable landmarks, best-known for its impressive clock which…read morehangs over Coney Street. But it has also had a tumultuous history, and contains one of York's most impressive mediaeval stained glass windows. The church was one of one of York's largest and finest, prior to a fateful night in 1942 when an air raid reduced the church to a smouldering ruin. Before then, it boasted a large nave and chancel with full length aisles and chapels. The fabric dated from the 11th to the 15th centuries. The well-known and large double-sided clock on Coney Street was fitted in 1668, and was topped by the statue of the 'Little Admiral' in the 18th century. The clock and statue survived the bombing, but little else did. The church was eventually rebuilt between 1961 and 1968, with the 15th century tower and south aisle becoming the church, and the remainder (most of the former nave and north aisle) becoming an enclosed garden of remembrance. Substantial parts of the north walls survive, however, including elements from the 11th century. Although much smaller, the restored church is an attractive space, combining modern works with a 17th century memorial to Sir William Sheffield (d. 1633) and - above all - its mediaeval stained glass. This had fortunately been removed for safe keeping in 1940, and includes one gem: the window depicting the life and works of St Martin of Tours, dating from around 1440. Formerly the west window, this is now in the new north wall and faces visitors as they enter. It is huge for a parish church (and is the largest in the city outside the Minster): 9m high and 4m wide, it is one of the best preserved of its type and contains no Victorian additions or repairs. The church is normally open during weekdays for private prayer and visitors.

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    St. Martin-Le-Grand Church
    St. Martin-Le-Grand Church
    St. Martin-Le-Grand Church

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    The Shambles - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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