Visiting The Shambles

About The Shambles

York's most famous street is a narrow medieval lane of timber-framed buildings whose upper storeys almost touch overhead. It was once lined with butchers, and some shopfronts still have the wide wooden shelves where meat was displayed. Today it holds gift shops, sweet shops and cafés, with the Shambles Market just behind.

Tip: Visit early in the morning or in the evening, when the street is quiet enough to see the buildings properly.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 30 minutes.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Minster Quarter, medieval lanes around York Minster, the Shambles and Stonegate.

Best time to visit The Shambles

To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:

• March: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
• April: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• October: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit York has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day York itinerary visits The Shambles on day 1, together with York Minster, Treasurer's House and Evening ghost walk.

• No. 3 of the 15 sights in our York things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in York.
• One of the picks in historic sites in York.

Near The Shambles

Also in Minster Quarter, so you can walk between them:

• York Minster — 2–3 hours with the tower, mid-priced
• Treasurer's House — 1 hour, low cost
• Holy Trinity Goodramgate — 20 minutes, free

If you like The Shambles

• York City Walls — City Centre, 1–2 hours
• National Railway Museum — Leeman Road, 2–3 hours

Staying near The Shambles

Stay in Minster Quarter ($$$$) to walk here: medieval lanes around York Minster, the Shambles and Stonegate. All areas to stay in York.

Questions travellers ask