best. The Shambles is one of a number of locations, along with streets in Chepstow, Edinburgh, Exeter and London, for which claims have been made that it was the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter franchise. “I would not recommend coming between a Yorkshire shopkeeper and their marketing.” JK Rowling. 30 years since I was here before. OK?? - See 15,492 traveller reviews, 4,694 candid photos, and great deals for York, UK, at Tripadvisor. Walking down the Shambles gives you the feeling of what it would be like to walk down Diagon Alley and seeing the magic alley from the hit J.K Rowling movie. Sort by. Magical York. YORK'S Shambles, with its cobbled streets and overhanging buildings, has become widely known as the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the much-loved Harry Potter films. Every day a tour guide brings visitors to Shambles and tells them that it is the inspiration for Diagon Alley. Until now. York's Shambles, with its cobbled streets and overhanging buildings, has become widely thought of as the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books and films. The appeal of an ancient medieval street and area dating back to the … York has now become known as a hot spot for Harry Potter fans to come and see the "Diagon Alley". Late 1800s and Today. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of cookies. There is quirky little shops and bars for you to explore, not to mention the epic photo opportunities. Once you see it, you’ll know why. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles, probably from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels, the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat. They included York artist Jane Duke who wrote: “There are businesses here in York who will fight anyone (probably including you….) Some are more specific, saying it inspired the designers who built the movie version of the fictional shopping street. Shambles street is one of the most unique and unusual things to see in York!It’s also one of my top places to visit. Image. And more recently The Potions Cauldron opened, selling enchanting drinks and housing a secret room with a model of Hogwarts. Photograph: PA Wire. Nice architecture ruined by tacky shops everywhere. who doubts that Diagon Alley is actually the Shambles. With its cobbled streets and overhanding buildings, Shambles is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the movie adptation of the Harry Potter series. But the question always remained: was it really in author JK Rowling’s mind when she first created the cobbled street filled – with shops “selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before”? Magical York. He explains how, when they came to build the set for the Harry Potter movies, the film’s designers visited York’s most famous street to study the real … It was ok but don’t make a special trip to see it. They included York artist Jane Duke who wrote: “There are businesses here in York who will fight anyone (probably including you….) York's historic Shambles is proving popular with Harry Potter fans from around the world. #oops *hands in York Card* https://t.co/NY9LvYH2DS. 11.7k. Posted by 21 days ago. share. Home to Diagon Alley York & the Shambles Market Visiting the Shambles in York has been a dream of mine since I read about it in my high school history class many, many moons ago. Many people responded asking about real locations said to be linked to the Potterverse. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC, Churches & Cathedrals, Architectural Buildings, Historic Sites, Observation Decks & Towers, Points of Interest & Landmarks. Click here to learn more or control your settings. The shambles in York (UK) inspiration for Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. The Shambles, York. Every day a tour guide brings visitors to Shambles and tells them that it is the inspiration for Diagon Alley. Still atmospheric but if you are not a Harry Potter fanatic, it is spoiled. Where is Diagon Alley in York? Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Worth a visit. Once you see it, you’ll know why. JK Rowling speaks out, Thousands could visit York’s biggest historic dig since Coppergate – including every child in York, Police release CCTV after Acomb pub assault, Drink-driving investigation launched after car river plunge, City centre car park to stay open – and plans to develop the Spark:York site put on hold, York restaurant to relaunch as cocktail bar and grill. A really quaint alley with interesting shops. save hide report. As a huge Harry Potter fan, this was very nostalgic, as it literally felt like I was on the real diagon alley, with lots of shops fulled to the brim of the wizarding world of harry potter goods, its a must go if your a Harry Potter Fan! Today Shambles is home to the hugely popular Harry Potter emporium The Shop That Must Not Be Named, and two other copycat stores, The World of Wizardry and The Boy Wizard. Shambles: Diagon Alley?!?! 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