"Shambles is one of York's most famous landmarks and one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. With its cobbled streets and overhanging buildings, it is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the movie adaptation of the Harry Potter series. Although none of the original shop-fronts have survived from medieval times, some properties still have exterior wooden shelves, reminders of when cuts of meat were served from the open windows. The street was made narrow by design to keep the meat out of direct sunlight, but you can readily imagine the Shambles packed with people and awash with offal and discarded bones.
Today, the beautiful old buildings have been restored and now house cheerful cafés, quirky boutiques and even a coin & stamp dealer and the smells are rather more pleasant with aromas from the chocolate, fudge and sweet shops, clothes and accessories and gift shops."
To me, it is often a place to avoid, since it tends to be very crowded and difficult to move along. However, after dark, when the shops have closed it is a place of beauty. I love the way some of the older shop fronts are twisted at different angles.
This shot is taken from Little Shambles, the main access from Shambles into Shambles Market. This market area was created in the 1950s when the jumble of old buildings was cleared and the market moved from Parliament Street.
Shambles now has three Harry Potter themed shops, and several confectionary shops - a far cry from the meat sellers that it once housed.
I believe there was more to the Shambles, but knocked down about 100 years ago. I’ve only tried to photograph at silly o’clock, never managed a shot I’m really happy about, daft considering the street doesn’t move like fast moving insects!
Lovely image. I was given a book about the Shambles, bought as a present for me by a friend who was there for a holiday. Made me want to come and explore. Haven't had the opportunity yet.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
York, like all others, is a city in a process of change. From the much earlier street of butchers, it evolved into a very mixed selection of shops. The evolution has continued, with the emphasis now more on shops to meet the needs of tourists. The shops may have changed, but the architectural frame continues, and makes a wonderful subject for photographs.
If you want a good time to get photos in the city centre, Christmas Day is a good time. When I have been in then it has been just me and a few other photographers to get shots of the lovely buildings and streets. If Shambles was once longer, it was probably at the south end, and it could have been shortened when Stonebow was created and Pavement widened.
I hope that you are enjoying seeing a little of our city through our project. I do hope you will get chance to come and see York for yourself sometime.
@fishers I think the last time I tried was Christmas Day last year at silly o’clock. Wouldn’t even think about it during the day, although a long exposure with ND filters might be interesting.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
York, like all others, is a city in a process of change. From the much earlier street of butchers, it evolved into a very mixed selection of shops. The evolution has continued, with the emphasis now more on shops to meet the needs of tourists. The shops may have changed, but the architectural frame continues, and makes a wonderful subject for photographs.
Ian
If you want a good time to get photos in the city centre, Christmas Day is a good time. When I have been in then it has been just me and a few other photographers to get shots of the lovely buildings and streets. If Shambles was once longer, it was probably at the south end, and it could have been shortened when Stonebow was created and Pavement widened.
Ian
I hope that you are enjoying seeing a little of our city through our project. I do hope you will get chance to come and see York for yourself sometime.
Ian
Thank you both. It is always interesting trying to find a slightly different view of a city.
Ian