1, Shambles

1, Shambles is a medieval timber-framed building with wooden beams and upper floors that overhang the street below. The structure features narrow ground-level spaces widening toward the top, typical of how medieval craftspeople maximized their living and working areas.

The building dates to the 14th century when the Shambles street served as York's butchers' marketplace. Over time, the trades within changed, but the medieval construction and layout remained largely unchanged.

The building shows how medieval shopkeepers and craftspeople lived in York, with family quarters above their trade spaces. Walking past it today reveals the pattern of work and home life that shaped this street for centuries.

The building sits in York's pedestrian-friendly old town and is easy to reach on foot. You can view it any time of day since it is a public landmark, and the exterior is fully visible from the street regardless of whether businesses inside are open.

The walls tilt inward at different angles on each side, making each floor overhang the street by a different amount. These tilts were intentional design choices, built this way to gain more usable space on the upper levels where people lived.

Location: City of York

GPS coordinates: 53.95981,-1.08022

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06