A Harry Potter Connection? - YorkMix Visitor Guides
What is York's Shambles?
York's historic Shambles is one of the city's most visited streets, and for good reason. The street is nothing like your typical high street. You won't find huge glass windows or neon signs inviting you in to massive stores here, instead you'll be immersed into a medieval world.
The street was once home to the city's butchers and features timber framed buildings with upper levels that overhang the street below.
Nowadays the Shambles is home to a myriad of traders, and many of them trade in the dark art of Wizardry! Visitors are now attracted shops like The Potions Cauldron and The Shop That Must Not Be Named.
But is there really a connection to Harry Potter?
Well, it turns out that although it's rumoured that the street inspired Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter books and films, none of the films were actually filmed in the city. Without doubt there are similarities between the Shambles and the street in the films but officially there's no connection.
So whilst there might not be anything to tie the Shambles to the world of Harry Potter, none of that stops the magic!
Of course there are other attractions on the street including York's very own ghost shop and the shrine of St Margaret Clitherow.
You haven't visited York if you haven't visited Shambles.
Shambles or The Shambles?
You'll probably hear the street referred to as "The Shambles" but officially it is simply "Shambles"
Potter Fan?
