Beautiful UK city with quirky medieval cobbled streets looks like it belongs in Harry Potter
With one of Europe's best-preserved medieval shopping streets and unique attractions whichever way you turn, it's well worth visiting this
by Talya Honebeek · The MirrorWith the festive period fast approaching, UK cities are bustling with people doing their Christmas shopping and hitting up the Christmas markets.
Whether you're looking to book a last-minute pre-Christmas trip or get something in the diary for 2025, a historic city in North Yorkshire might be worth adding to your staycation wishlist. York was named the world's second most beautiful place to visit in winter earlier this year.
Research by Premier Inn highlighted York's "captivating medieval walls and narrow lanes of The Shambles", adding: "The York Minster cathedral looks even more majestic, while the city’s famous Christmas market, St Nicholas Fair, comes alive on Parliament Street.
"Winter visitors can warm up in one of York’s many historic pubs or enjoy the JORVIK Viking Centre – perfect if you need a bit of shelter from the cold while exploring the city."
After visiting the JORVIK, why not pay a visit to the York Minster, or climb what remains of the 700-year-old city walls. If you don't want to wait another year for Halloween, you could stop by the York Dungeon, or go on one of the city's many
York is also a great destination for Harry Potter fans. While it's never been confirmed by J.K. Rowling herself that The Shambles was the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, the similarities between the two are clear to see.
The Shambles, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval shopping streets, is one of the city's most famous landmarks. With a narrow cobbled street and timber-framed buildings that overhang the street by several feet, it feels like something out of a fairy tale.
So much so, fans of the Harry Potter books and film franchise flock to The Shambles every year to snap pictures and visit the multiple shops dedicated to merchandise from the films, including The Shop That Must Not Be Named.
While The Shambles wasn't used as a Harry Potter filming location, part of the first film was filmed in York's railway station. According to Visit York, the station was dressed up to look like King's Cross for the scene where Harry crosses the bridge to find Platform 9 ¾.
The Shambles isn't the only unique street in York. You can also visit the quirky Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, which at just 24 metres in length, is one of the shortest 'streets'.
Premier Inn's list of the top eye-catching winter cities in the world also featured Boston, USA, as well as Dublin in Ireland, Cologne in Germany and Stockholm in Sweden.