A Guide to Shopping in York

For those of you who are heading to York for a weekend break, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to shop! The historic city is a hot spot for shopping, mixing high street favourites with quirky independent shops. One of the reasons people are attracted to shop in York is not just the stores themselves but the buildings they are found in. The stunning medieval and Georgian architecture adds something special to your browsing.

High Street Stores

The compact centre of York means you won’t be walking till your feet ache and you can find popular high street names close together. On Coney Street, Parliament Street, Stonegate, Petergate and Coppergate there are several recognisable stores on a larger scale than those you’ll find at home, such as H&M, Fenwick, Topshop and Top Man, Mulberry and more. Coppergate Shopping Centre is an excellent place to start for high street shopping, and with a multi-story car park and cafés, you have everything you need in one place. The shopping centre is also where you will find the Jorvik Viking Centre, one of York’s biggest attractions.

Independent Shops

If your shopping habits lean to independent boutiques and unique finds, York will be your ideal destination. Located in characterful buildings, York boasts many exclusive stores that add to the charm of the city, and you will find there is something to every taste and budget. There is such a variety to discover that one trip to York won’t be enough to see it all!

The Indie York initiative helps to promote independent businesses in the city and provides a directory so you can find the shop you need. They also have information on opening hours, contacts, and a history of the businesses along with an interactive map to see where the shops are located. Popular independent shops to seek out in York include Barnitts, Burgins perfumery, Mullen and Mullen, The Inkwell, The Evil Eye Gin Shop and The Yorkshire Soap Company. Be sure to check out Indie York if you are looking for something a little different when shopping in York, and feel free to ask our staff for their personal recommendations.

Shambles Market

The Shambles is a landmark of York, and tucked between it and Parliament is the outdoor Shambles Market. There are over 70 stalls selling something for everyone from arts and crafts from local artists, fresh food, clothes, flowers, household items and artisan foods. The market is open 9am to 5pm daily, and even if you are not looking to buy at the market, it is still worth a browse.

Gifts and Souvenirs

Even if you are only heading to York for a long weekend, you might want to pick up a souvenir to remember your time in the city, and there are plenty of places to get one! On Micklegate, where our serviced apartments York are located, or the Shambles and Petergate, you will find several shops offering all sorts of souvenirs and gifts to treat yourself – including some quirky Harry Potter shops! There are galleries focussing on Yorkshire artwork, handmade gifts, and much more. The Visit York Information Centre also sells York keepsakes to take home with you and also sells produce grown and made in Yorkshire.

Designer Outlet

While the centre of York has a plethora of shops to keep you busy for days, you may also want to head to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet located just outside York in a stunning garden setting. There are top fashion and designer brands to look out for such as Lacoste, Ted Baker, Coach, Dr Martens and Superdry. When you have shopped till you have dropped, there is also the Food Quarter where you can either grab a quick coffee, stop for lunch or head to for an early evening dinner.

Contact us today to find out more about our apart-hotel accommodation in York, and take a look at our blog for inspiration on how to spend your time in York and Harrogate.

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