The Shambles wins'most picturesque British street' award

THE Shambles in York has been named Britain’s most picturesque street.

The famous cobbled street with its buildings which lean so much they almost touch in the middle took the top 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.

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

Ian Addyman, who owns a shop on The Shambles, which dates from about the 15th Century, 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 Shambles is among Europe’s most visited streets. It was historically a street of butchers’ shops and houses and livestock was also slaughtered there.

Its most famous resident was Margaret Clitherow, a butcher’s wife, who allowed her house to be used to shelter Catholic priests and celebrate Mass. For her crimes, she was crushed to death under a weight in the Tollbooth on Ouse Bridge in York in 1586. She was made a saint in 1970.

The Royal Crescent in Bath and Grey Street in Newcastle came second and third respectively in the vote for the most picturesque street which was required to be “uniquely British and visually charming”.

Call Lane in Leeds and Fossgate in York were among others nominated in the foodie award, while Briggate in Leeds and Stonegate in York appeared in the fashion shortlist.