125 - Perhaps the best known tourist street in York, the Shambles have a long history. The plaque at the far end of the street reads:
The ancient street of the Butchers of York, mentioned in the Domesday Book of William the Conqueror. It takes its name from the word 'Shamel', meaning the stalls or benches on which the meat was displayed - later versions of which can still be seen. It was rebuilt about 1400, when it assumed its present character.
Not sure I fully agree - in recent years many shops have changed from useful places (like bookshops!) into a collection of tourist shops. The physical character may not have changed much, but the character of the shops has changed enormously.
I studied medieval Europe with a focus on British/Celtic history in college (university) a long time ago. York is one of my favorite places. Your photo brings me back.
Well I hope you enjoy more of the sights (or sites?) in York in the coming weeks - but since I have a historian looking in, I'd better double check my facts! lol. Glad you are enjoying the views!
Not sure I could easily manage such an early start - but I did do a photographic tour of the city centre last Christmas Day and got tourist free shots of quite a few places which are normally crowded. I'm planning a repeat next Christmas, subject to the suitability of the weather!
Thank you Pamela, glad you like it - it's quite hard to get a good shot of the Shambles, because there are just so many people down there so this uses a zoom to get in there from a distance - and that also makes the tower of York Minster visible!
July 14th, 2012
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Thank you Brian
Well I hope you enjoy more of the sights (or sites?) in York in the coming weeks - but since I have a historian looking in, I'd better double check my facts! lol. Glad you are enjoying the views!
Not sure I could easily manage such an early start - but I did do a photographic tour of the city centre last Christmas Day and got tourist free shots of quite a few places which are normally crowded. I'm planning a repeat next Christmas, subject to the suitability of the weather!
Thank you Pamela, glad you like it - it's quite hard to get a good shot of the Shambles, because there are just so many people down there so this uses a zoom to get in there from a distance - and that also makes the tower of York Minster visible!