Shambles
Shambles
4.5
About
Shambles (or The Shambles as it is often referred to) is a street in the city centre of York with a long and interesting past. Dating back to Medieval times it was once the street of the butcher shops. Today the Shambles is Europe's most visited street, attracting tourists, shoppers and business clients.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
16,206 reviews
Excellent
9,909
Very good
4,754
Average
1,284
Poor
181
Terrible
78
David Rostron
Perth, Australia66 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
An incredible little street, where you feel you have stepped back in time. There is a huge variety of shops along the way, including Harry Potter. It gets very busy, so I would recommend getting in early, or avoiding weekends and holidays.
Written August 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElaineAndGreg
Chesterland, OH3,188 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
The Shambles is an impossibly pretty street with rows of ancient small shops with their second and third stories almost meeting overhead. We've been here in years past.
On this occasion, we were here on a Friday afternoon in August, which I would not recommend. Yes, the street is still attractive, but this is one of the claimed inspirations for "Diagon Alley" in the Harry Potter books and films. That is for good reason as it closely resembles the feel in the book.
We like Harry Potter, but many of the shops have been taken up with Harry Potter merchandise. There were long lines to get into some of them, with the result that the street was extremely crowded. Until reading the reviews of others, I did not even realize that there were any of the original small shops left.
We did come back later in the evening, and while the shops were closed it remains a charming and unique location, well worth a visit.
For what it's worth, a second street claiming to be "Diagon Alley" is just south and below Edinburgh Castle, maybe 200 metres from the coffee shop (currently closed for renovation) where JK Rowling started writing the books.
This is a notable location, but depending on your interest in fending off other would-be members of Gryffindor House, you may want to time your visit around the likely busy periods.
On this occasion, we were here on a Friday afternoon in August, which I would not recommend. Yes, the street is still attractive, but this is one of the claimed inspirations for "Diagon Alley" in the Harry Potter books and films. That is for good reason as it closely resembles the feel in the book.
We like Harry Potter, but many of the shops have been taken up with Harry Potter merchandise. There were long lines to get into some of them, with the result that the street was extremely crowded. Until reading the reviews of others, I did not even realize that there were any of the original small shops left.
We did come back later in the evening, and while the shops were closed it remains a charming and unique location, well worth a visit.
For what it's worth, a second street claiming to be "Diagon Alley" is just south and below Edinburgh Castle, maybe 200 metres from the coffee shop (currently closed for renovation) where JK Rowling started writing the books.
This is a notable location, but depending on your interest in fending off other would-be members of Gryffindor House, you may want to time your visit around the likely busy periods.
Written September 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kittykate96
381 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
A beautiful part of York with a nice little halloween market selling handmade crafts and gifts. The streets are very narrow and it was quite busy due to half term. Lots of cafes selling cakes and little gift shops. There are public toilets down silver street,just be aware they are 40p to use
Written November 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jemma A
34 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Cute street to visit with amazing buildings to look at
Lots of quirky shops to visit however some had massive queues to enter, these were on street
It can get very busy so be wary if you have a pushchair or wheelchair and the street is cobbles so very bumpy
Definitely one to visit at least once
Lots of quirky shops to visit however some had massive queues to enter, these were on street
It can get very busy so be wary if you have a pushchair or wheelchair and the street is cobbles so very bumpy
Definitely one to visit at least once
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LauraDaveJames
Solihull, UK5,346 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
This is a lovely historic street in the centre of York. In our experience, it can become very crowded and feels quite uncomfortable in those conditions. It is better to visit either early morning or later in the evening when it is not so crowded. Or in this case on a cold day in January.
Written January 31, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer Burns
Cardiff, UK59 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Straight away you can see where JK Rowling got her inspiration for Diagon Alley from. Try avoid going during the main part of the day - try catch it early morning or evening to be able to see it properly. Lots of great little shops. Fans of Harry Potter will adore it.
Written September 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darrell O
Congleton, UK199 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
York is a lovely city and we really enjoyed our visit today. Using the park and ride saves the problem of navigating the city and finding a parking space. The Shambles is an amazing street, but I felt it has become a little too Harry Potter themed.
Written August 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JedAfterthought
Levin, New Zealand265 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
The historical market district of York has winding alleys and market stalls, with cut price items available for tourists, in a way that may provide a bargain. There are houses built in 17th century or even earlier, scattered throughout the centre. Lots of interesting shops and reasonable prices.
Written July 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SCFCJay
Stone, UK77 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
This remarkably preserved glimpse into our countrys long history is an absolute must see. We went once during the early afternoon and then came back later in the evening where we found it more enjoyable.
During the day it is impossibly overcrowded, mainly with HP fans, so much so that it spoils it somewhat.
Later on when the street quietens down a bit, it was far more enjoyable. We even managed to get inside the HP shops with minor queueing to see what all the fuss was about.
Also spent some time in the market before finding an amazing little cafe to escape from the hordes in
During the day it is impossibly overcrowded, mainly with HP fans, so much so that it spoils it somewhat.
Later on when the street quietens down a bit, it was far more enjoyable. We even managed to get inside the HP shops with minor queueing to see what all the fuss was about.
Also spent some time in the market before finding an amazing little cafe to escape from the hordes in
Written November 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Temac1970
Melbourne, Australia250 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
The real Diagon alley! Rebuilt in 1400 AD! As well as the historical aspect, the Shambles has a real Harry Potter aesthetic (which many shops cash in on) but is absolutely worth a wander. Many York attractions are in easy walking distance from one another anyway so its definitely worth a 5 to 10 minute walk to see this. Some nice restaurants and cafes nearby too.
Written September 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vibeke
Kokkedal, Denmark
Hvor kan man spise en god jule middag til under 500 kroner?
Written November 30, 2024
Hi there could anyone please tell me if the Christmas lights will still be on for new years eve,?? Many thanx jon
Written December 11, 2023
Can't see why not, they are usually left up till 12th night.
Written December 12, 2023
Hi will shambles be open 26th???
Written December 21, 2020
The Wizard of York here, from The Wizard Walk of York! The Shambles itself never closes, although it’s up to each individual shop to decide which days they open over the Christmas period
Written August 27, 2024
Can I bring my dog?
Written August 16, 2020
Yes but you probably can’t take your dog in the shops and it can get really busy. Think I would personally leave a dog at home if I had a choice
Written August 16, 2020
Any advice on car parking for 48 hours in York..staying in centre.
Written August 21, 2019
LPS Premier Inn, 2 mins from the station is £20 for 2 days. You can park for up to 7 days which is £70. Unfortunately, parking in York is priced on a Dick Turpin style tariff.
Written September 28, 2019
What are the busiest and least busy times
Written January 14, 2019
It is always busy at weekends. It is quieter early morning or late evening but the shops won’t be open.
Between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm it is busy with Ghost Tours.
Written January 15, 2019
charliermanon
Verdun, France
bonjour, est-ce possible de visiter York à pied ? De s'y rendre en voiture et d'aller visiter The Shambles ? Faut-il payer une entrée ?
Written March 25, 2018
The Shambles est une rue emblématique du centre-ville de York; Vous payez pour le parking à côté de Clifton Tower ou vous arrivez aux parkings à la périphérie de la ville, gratuitement et à partir de là les bus partent à des coûts très bas.
Written March 27, 2018
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