Go shopping medieval-style along The Shambles

Once voted ‘Britain’s most picturesque street’, The Shambles is a shopping destination like no other. It is a curiously quaint, flag-stoned avenue overhung haphazardly by timber-framed houses dating from the 15th century. The street was once lined with butchers’ shops and was made narrow by design to keep the meat out of direct sunlight. Most properties still have exterior wooden shelves, which are reminders of when cuts of meat were served from the open windows.

Today, the beautifully restored buildings house an appealing mix of shops and places to eat. Smell the delicious aromas wafting from chocolatiers, fudge-makers and cafés, and browse unique jewellery, leather goods, wool, curiosities and antiques in old-fashioned shop fronts.

The Shambles is located in the centre of the historic city of York in Northern England, which is three hours by train from London.