History of York Market

First founded by the Romans in 71 AD, York pre-dates many cities that were bestowed a market charter before the Norman conquest of Great Britain. In 700 AD, the now populated Saxon town was drafted its first market charter. This gave York the right to hold a market in a specific place and upon particular day or days. York’s market charter remained intact throughout its Viking invasion in 837 AD and on into the Harrying of the North by the Normans in 1069.

Read more about York's history here  ▸

Through the proceeding years York became home to many markets for different products scattered around the city. It wasn’t until the Victorian era that a single market has served the city on Pavement moving to Parliament Street and onto St Sampson’s Square in 1837, staying in this position for 127 years. If you look closely at the St Sampson’s Square street sign, you’ll notice Thursday Market was the square’s original name. In 1964, a specially created Newgate Market transferred in behind the buildings on Shambles and Parliament Street. Set against a backdrop of medieval buildings, Newgate Market offered something for everyone.

After a refurbishment in 2014 the renamed Shambles Market underwent a transformation. Shambles Market now accommodates 69 covered stalls, an impressive food court and a place for many local and independent businesses to start-up, grow and develop. Shambles Market, managed in conjunction with Make It York, provides an excellent tourist and shopping destination in this historic city. 

Shambles Market is recognized as Tripadvisor® 2025 Travelers’ Choice® Award Winner! The award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great traveller reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, placing the market among the 10% of all listings on Tripadvisor globally.

Shambles Market is open 7 days a week, 9am – 5pm, with shorter opening hours in Winter months. See the traders or more information on how to become a trader.