From high street favourites to quirky boutiques, the shops in York have it all.
When it comes to city centre shopping, bigger isn’t always better. York’s relatively compact size means it’s easy to sample everything it has to offer to the dedicated follower of fashion without having to cover miles and miles of mall space. All the big names you’d expect are in residence for fashion, beauty, home and more. However, the shops in York offer that something a little bit different to the discerning shopper who wants an individual memento of their time in the city. Designer boutiques sit happily alongside the antique and vintage shops York is renowned for, and no visit to this ancient, walled city is complete without a visit to its famous Shambles market, which is at the beating heart of York.
Vintage Treasures
Whether you’re a bona fide 50s aficionado, a lover of 40s fashion or just keen to inject a little retro glamour into your look, you’re guaranteed to find that one off gem as you explore the many eclectic vintage treasure troves nestled amongst York’s cobbled lanes and alleyways. Try Bowler Vintage on Fossgate where the carefully curated vintage finds are lovingly laundered, pressed and mended before going on sale. They also stock a great range of new vintage-style clothes and accessories here. Alternatively Dog & Bone Vintage on Castlegate is a great place to rummage for home and fashion one-offs and Glory Days is a fabulous one-stop-shop for brides-to-be who want to evoke the glamour of a lost age on their big day.
Designer Labels for Less
If you love the timeless style of classic English brand Mulberry, you’ll be pleased to discover that you can treat yourself to that investment leather handbag, pair of shoes or show stopping dress for less than their usual retail price at the Mulberry Factory Shop on Swinegate. And if that whets your appetite for more designer bargains, you can hop on the handy Park & Ride bus service to the McArthurGlen York Designer Outlet, just ten minutes’ drive from the city centre. Here you’ll find over 900 luxury brands at lower prices including Prada, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Boss, L K Bennett and Paul Smith. And when you’re all shopped out, you can treat yourself at one of the many cafes and restaurants including Pizza Express, Pret a Manger and Starbucks.
The Shambles Market
Still fresh from its recent £1.6 million refurbishment, York’s most famous market is Shambles by name, but certainly not by nature. Now situated between Parliament Street and the back of Shambles, the newly revamped Shambles Market boasts more than eighty stalls at peak times and is a must-visit to soak up the city’s atmosphere and browse the fresh produce, flowers and crafts before stopping for something to eat at the new food court. If you’re in York on the last Friday of the month, you can visit the monthly York Farmer’s Market that the Shambles plays host to for the very best in local produce. And for a festive treat, why not visit York from mid-November onwards to experience the magical St Nicholas Fair?
Antique Finds
It’s fitting that a city so steeped in history should provide so many opportunities for visitors to take their own piece of the past home with them. Whether it’s a striking item of vintage jewellery, a quirky ornament or a full set of antique furniture, York is full of places to find that one off piece to give your home a dash of traditional individual style. Again, you’ll find quirky shops to rummage in without even trying but if you’re serious about your antique shopping, the Antiques Centre York, next to the Minster is a must-visit. Over 100 dealers sell everything from clocks, to glassware, to jewellery to art to toys across five showrooms. Alternatively, nearby Red House Antiques boasts 50 dealers and a café in a lovely setting.
