The UK is home to some of the most intriguing streets in the world, whether their fame be due to culture, history or current vibrancy. Here are a few of our favourites…
The Shambles, York
The Shambles is a street in York, known for its well-preserved medieval buildings which are now shops, restaurants, cafés and points of interest.
The buildings on The Shambles have overhanging timber-framed buildings – dating as far back as the 14th Century! The distinct character and charm makes it a popular tourist destination.
The Shambles gets it’s name from a historical street of butchers and the layout of the street supports that, too – the street was made narrow entirely by design as it historically would have helped to keep the meat out of direct sunlight.
York Ghost Merchants and the ‘Shop that must not be named’ are just two of the vibrant independent businesses hosted by The Shambles but there are SO many more! Sweet shops, cafes, potion shops, chocolatiers – the list goes on!
Denmark Street ‘Tin Pan Alley’, London
‘Tin Pan Alley’ is a term used to describe London’s music scene on Denmark Street, near the West End. The street was known as the British center of the music industry from the late 19th century through the 20th century. The area was a true hub for music publishers, songwriters, musicians and producers.
The culture of the street played a significant role in the development of various British genres; pop, punk & rock music. Whilst the music scene on Denmark has had many changes over the years, it’s legacy has remained
Portobello Road, London
Portobello Road in the Notting Hill area of London contains one of the most famous street markets in the world. It is known for its vibrant eccentricity and has a history dating back to the 19th century.
Portobello Road Market was originally a fresh food market, selling local produce to the local people. Eventually Rag n Bone men starting joining the market and selling their finds, this then evolved into antiques and voila! You have the renowned antiques market and major tourist attraction there is today!
Although Portobello Market is mostly known for its antiques, the stalls rotate on a regular basis! So, you can definitely expect to see a bit of everything on a visit to portobello. To find all of the stall and shops on Portobello Road, and to track all of the market’s events, be sure to download the free Discover App!
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