Monday, March 08, 2010

The Shambles in York named Britain's most picturesque street

A cobbled shopping street dating back to the middle ages has been voted Britain's most picturesque street.

The Shambles in York, which is lined with buildings dating back to the 15th century, took the prize in the Google Street View Awards.

Stockbridge High Street in Hampshire was voted the best foodie street and Milson Street in Bath won the award of best fashion street in the poll.

Ian Addyman, who owns a shop on The Shambles, said it was full of "historic charm".

He said: "There is a real feeling of community amongst shop owners and I think we all feel privileged to work in such a beautiful place. The shops here are all strikingly different and unique.

"Most people say that if you visit York, then at some point you will walk down The Shambles. It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why."

The Royal Crescent in Bath and Grey Street in Newcastle came second and third respectively in the vote for the most picturesque street.

More than 11,000 people voted for their favourites after the streets were short-listed by a panel of experts.

Ed Parsons from Google said: "The Google Street View Awards are aimed to celebrate the many fantastic streets that Britain has to offer, and the results reveal a diverse cultural landscape of food, fashion and beauty that puts the winning towns firmly on the map."

The Shambles (official name Shambles) is one of the oldest streets in York, and is noteworthy for its verhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles, probably from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels (literally 'flesh-shelves'), the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat.

Ian Addyman, owner of Past Images photography shop in Shambles, said: “Shambles is a timeless street full of historic charm, and whatever time of year you come here there is something different to see.

“There is a real feeling of community amongst shop owners and I think we all feel privileged to work in such a beautiful place.

“The shops here are all strikingly different and unique.

“Most people say that if you visit York, then at some point you will walk down Shambles. It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why.”