30, Shambles

The building at 30 Shambles displays medieval timber framing with dark wood beams and white infill, with upper stories projecting over the lane below. The narrow frontage and sloped walls are typical of this historic street in York.

The street functioned as a butcher's market from the 1300s, with traders displaying meat on wooden racks called shammels. The house developed along with this commercial activity and shows how this lane evolved through centuries of trade.

The street attracts visitors who come to experience how medieval craftspeople and merchants lived in these cramped quarters. The crooked wooden facades and narrow passage reflect the working life of ordinary people from centuries ago.

The building is visible from the street as you walk through Shambles, one of York's narrowest lanes. The street is easy to reach on foot and offers good space for exploring, especially in early morning or outside peak tourist hours.

The building is among those defining Shambles' unusual character, where houses crowd so close that upper floors nearly meet across the street. This intentional narrowness was designed to maximize trade space while using minimal land.

Location: City of York

GPS coordinates: 53.95907,-1.07999

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:11