Probably the most famous street in York, the Shambles in normal times is always a busy place, but not at the moment. The latest lockdown may have ended but there are still three tiers of restrictions with York in Tier 2, and many people are still staying at home.
The Shambles have featured before in our project, most recently in May, and previously last December.
The Shambles is an old street, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles, probably from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels (literally 'flesh-shelves'), the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat. As recently as 1872 twenty-five butchers' shops were located along the street, but now none remain.
Many Harry Potter fans have wrongly assumed that the Shambles was the inspiration for Diagon Alley. As a result there are now three Harry Potter themed shops in this street (see http://365project.org/fishers/365/2020-03-17 for one of them). One of the Harry Potter shops can be seen at the right hand side of this shot.
I think that used to be a photographer's shop where you could have a picture taken in costume.......we had a couple done there before they closed over the years. Love The Shambles. Nice to see this image.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Although the Shambles are known for the timber framed buildings, and rightly so, there are various styles of architecture in the street, and I think it is the variety that makes much of it's character.
I don't remember the photographer's shop. They were once a common feature of the high streets, but I suppose the common use of cameras and phones has made most of them redundant.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Although the Shambles are known for the timber framed buildings, and rightly so, there are various styles of architecture in the street, and I think it is the variety that makes much of it's character.
Ian
I don't remember the photographer's shop. They were once a common feature of the high streets, but I suppose the common use of cameras and phones has made most of them redundant.
Ian
fav
Thank you for your comments and favs - the Shambles is a super place, and it's nice to visit while it's quite quiet.
Ian