Shambles Market — Attraction in Great Britain

The actual Shambles market was somewhat a disappointment, being less the traditional market I was expecting, and more a fairly small selection of craft stalls, better than most, but far from the best. As you walk around this area, the Harry Potter connection is exploited to the full, especially with it being such a tourist trap, wands, spells, potions, tours, ghosts, it's all here. There's a vast, varied selection of quirky shops, cafes and eateries, so there's a great atmosphere, but it's also extremely busy, with lots of mostly Chinese tourists queuing up for the many walking tours & experiences. The architecture is easy to overlook, but look beyond the shop fronts, and you'll get to appreciate some incredibly interesting, and very old buildings, all adding to the overall charm, and sense of stepping back in time, especially with the narrow cobbled streets. All very Scrooge like. It's unfortunate York has become such a tourist focused city, with most stores doing their best to rip them off, with stupidly high prices & lots of tat masquerading as quality items with prices to match, e.g a quality, but unbranded shirt bought in Whitby for £15, was £99! I feel sorry for the overseas visitors, they don't know any better . Overall, York is a fascinating place to visit, there's plenty to see & do, more shops than I've seen anywhere, and if you're a Harry Potter or Viking fan, so much the better, but be prepared to spend a lot. Facilities: If you want to spend a penny, there are public toilets nearby on Silver St. Rather than a penny, they're 40p, and pretty basic, old, and grubby looking, not a great experience. Parking: Nearby parking is available at Monks Bar Car Park, but expensive at £15 all day. As an alternative, you could use the park & ride...

Step Back in Time – Visiting The Shambles, York

If you’re visiting York, The Shambles is an absolute must-see. This narrow, cobbled street feels like something straight out of a fairy tale – or, more accurately, a medieval marketplace. It's one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, and walking down it truly feels like stepping back in time.

The buildings lean at odd angles, their timber-framed facades almost touching overhead, creating a wonderfully atmospheric alleyway that’s rich in history. But it’s not just about the architecture – The Shambles is full of character. There’s a mix of quirky independent shops, chocolatiers, Harry Potter-themed boutiques, cafes, and traditional sweet shops. It’s especially popular with fans of the wizarding world, with many drawing comparisons between The Shambles and Diagon Alley.

There’s something charming around every corner – whether it’s a shopfront from the 14th century or a stall selling hand-made fudge. Even if it can get a bit crowded during peak tourist times, it’s worth the bustle. Early mornings or weekdays tend to be quieter, offering a more relaxed experience.

In short, The Shambles is a perfect blend of history, shopping, and charm – a real gem in York's already...

Been up and down the Shambles over the last 5 years and thought I'll give an honest review.

It's historical, quirky and overall interesting. If you go late at night or early morning you can get some lovely photographs and enjoy the peaceful stroll before the crowds come in.

After 10am The Shambles becomes unbearable with crowds of tourists drooling over the Harry Potter shops and block the street for their Instagram photoshoots. The Ghost shop at the top end causes a lot of bottlenecking issues because of the huge queues to visit a rather overrated attraction.

Christmas makes this area more unbearable with tourists and miserable shoppers who all love to barge their way through with no consideration.

The market area itself can give a small respite, plenty of food and seating. The market stalls themselves are okay, bit generic mostly with tat that only gullible tourists would buy but some stalls stand out and sell really good quality items.

I post this from an honest standpoint as someone who's worked and lived in York for 5 years. Tourists are the lifeblood of York and the city would be very little without them, still doesn't stop me from pointing out how annoying they...