Shopping in York

Polly Checkland Harding

Skipton, York and Hull span most of the way across the north of England, these neighbouring destinations making a complimentary set when it comes to culture, food and drink and places to stay. The same is true of shopping in this part of the country: an excellent record shop and independent coffee, groceries and refill store can be found in the charming market town of Skipton, while York’s ancient walls are home to The Little Apple Bookshop and a fantastic antiques centre. In Hull, there are two beautiful Victorian arcades, one of which houses some of the longest-running and best-loved shops in the city, the other of which has been transformed into a hub for emerging independents, restaurants and cafes. To discover more about all of these recommendations, and more, read on.

Our top picks

Sound Bar

Sound Bar, 15 Swadford St, Skipton, BD23 1RD - Visit now

Sound Bar is a meeting place of music fans. Their record shop is perfectly complimented by their live acts and well curated bar.

Sound Bar

The Little Apple Bookshop

The Little Apple Bookshop, 13 High Petergate, York, Yorkshire, YO1 7EN - Visit now

The Little Apple Bookshop is a highly-regarded independent bookshop based just a stone’s throw from York Minster in the city centre.

The Little Apple Bookshop
The Little Apple Bookshop

Cycle Heaven

Cycle Heaven, 31 Hosptial Fields Road, Fulford, York, Yorkshire, YO10 4FS - Visit now

Cycle Heaven is a cycle store and cafe, offering a high class bicycles, bike fitting, repair and services to the people of York since 1993.

Cycle Heaven
Courtesy of Cycle Heaven.

Paragon Arcade

Paragon Arcade, Paragon St, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 3PQ - Visit now

This beautiful Victorian shopping arcade dating back to 1896 is home to a raft of innovative local retailers, each with their own specialism.

Paragon Arcade

Magpie – Two for Joy

Magpie – Two for Joy, Albion Square, Otley St, Skipton, BD23 1ED - Visit now

A gift shop, printmakers and gallery shop in one, Magpie sells a locally sourced collection of wonderful and beautiful things.

Magpie

York Gin

York Gin, York Gin shop, 12 Pavement, York, Yorkshire, YO1 9UP - Visit now

Based in the centre of the city, York Gin creates its own hugely-popular range of six world-class gins in the city’s only distillery.

York Gin
Courtesy of York Gin

Hepworth Arcade

Hepworth Arcade, Silver Street, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 1JU - Visit now

Located in the Old Town, this beautiful Grade II-listed Victorian arcade is home to some of Hull’s best-loved and best-known retailers.

Hepworths Arcade

Steep and Filter

Steep and Filter, 14 & 16 Otley Street, Skipton, BD23 1DZ - Visit now

Award wining coffee, fresh local produce and a sense of goodwill towards the environment are what Steep and Filter bring to Skipton.

Steep and Filter

The Antiques Centre in York

The Antiques Centre in York, 41 Stonegate, York, Yorkshire, YO1 8AW - Visit now

The Antiques Centre York is a listed Georgian townhouse which serves as a treasure trove of antiques sourced from all over the UK.

The Antiques Centre in York
Courtesy of The Antiques Centre York

Form Shop & Studio

Form Shop & Studio, 62 Humber St, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 1TU - Visit now

In the vibrant Fruit Market cultural quarter, Form Shop and Studio is an independent shop selling affordable art prints, cards and stationery.

FORM SHOP AND STUDIO

Botanic

Botanic, 27 Walmgate, York, Yorkshire, YO1 9TX - Visit now

Botanic is an independent plant shop in York, near York Castle Museum, offering all kinds of beautiful and unusual indoor plants and foliage.

Botanic
Courtesy of York Gin

Where to go in York

York
Bar or Pub
The Welly

Legendary nightclub in Hull, The Welly hosts regular events, musicians and club nights – all affordable and all incredibly entertaining.

York
Gallery
Mill Bridge Gallery

Fine art, photography and sculpture – all by talented local artists – are exhibited in the Mill Bridge Gallery located in a canal-side building.

York
Restaurant
Sotano

Sotano, in York, is a divine Mediterranean tapas bar and restaurant, also serving charcuterie boards of the finest ingredients.

York
Bar or Pub
Evil Eye

Evil Eye in York is a cocktail bar focused on embracing the spiritual, and engaging with the community.

York
Restaurant
Valhalla

Valhalla is ‘a venue that paid homage to York’s Viking heritage and somewhere with purely Rock ‘n Metal music in its soul’.

York
Bar or Pub
Fossgate Social

Coffee shop by day, bar by night – Fossgate Social is a small but vibrant independent venue serving speciality coffee, craft beer and cocktails.

Restaurant stock image
York
Restaurant
Izakaya

Tasting menus and full course dining experiences are on offer, bridging relaxed and fine dining to suit every taste with Japanese cuisine.

York
Restaurant
Legacy

Legacy, in York’s iconic ‘The Grand’, offers a modern British and Yorkshire-inspired tasting menus paired with an exceptional wine list.

York
Gallery
York Fine Arts

For over 40 years, this family run art gallery has gained a reputation for sourcing some of the finest contemporary arts for viewing and sale.

York Visitor Guides

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The Grand York
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