The Shambles

About this place

The Shambles is a medieval street in central York, lined with small shops and restaurants with leaning walls. Stroll along this charming cobbled alley with its 15th century corbelled houses whose floors seem to lean over the heads of passersby. Many fans of the Harry Potter saga compare the jumble of Shambles Street to the legendary Diagon Alley of books. In 2010, the Shambles was elected by the Google Street team the most scenic street in Britain. Take a tour of this tourist area to learn more about the ancient uses of buildings. Let be tempted by a guided tour on the theme of Ghost Hunt which starts every evening from the southern end of the Shambles. The name Shambles comes from the Saxon word fleshhammels meaning the meat counters, literally because the street was once the butcher’s quarter.