York

York || Best Independent Shopping

I’ll be honest, I love going to places like Ikea. I think it’s a fun day out planning rooms and window shopping as much as possible. But as much as I love going in to massive chain shops, when there’s a plethora of cool local shops, I try to frequent them instead. And it must be said, shopping in York is pretty awesome. 

So here’s a list of my favourite independent shops in York where you can go for anything from clothing, to gifts, to furniture to organic food. 

Best Independent Shopping in York

Yorkshire Soap Company 

Anyone who has walked down York’s crowded centre, will have definitely noticed the bubbles drifting overhead and the amazing scents coming out of the Yorkshire Soap Company. One of the very first things that I purchased when we first moved to York was a Yorkshire rose reed diffuser from this shop. All the scents are phenomenal and the selection is massive. And for the quality, you don’t get the same sticker shock that you would do if you were buying the candles from Jo Malone or Diptyque. 

It is located at 10 Blake St, York YO1 8QG


The Imaginarium 

The Imaginarium is owned by the same team behind the Yorkshire Soap Company, hence it being right next door.  It’s an interiors store set up like a Victorian curiosity shop and with the same slightly dark but magical sense of playfulness. We own a few prints from the shop and they are gorgeous. 

It is located at 6 Blake St, York YO1 8QG


Snowhome  

Sam loves to tease me about how much I love Snowhome. On a Saturday, if we’ve nothing to do, I always suggest popping over for a browse. Snowhome is a contemporary design shop that tries to feature small manufacturers, designers, illustrators and makers. I’ve never gone into Snowhome without wanting to buy at least 12 things. They sell everything from gifts to furniture with a strong emphasis on a clean aesthetic. 

It is located at42 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ


Priestley’s Vintage Clothing 

Sophie Nicholls’ bestselling novel “The Dress” was inspired by something she saw in the window at Priestley’s Vintage. A divine vintage shop tucked away down a narrow side street in the centre of town. There’s a really wide range of high-end vintage garments and you never know what gems you might stumble across.

It is located at 11 Grape Ln, York YO1 7HU


Flax & Twine 

Flax & Twine has one of the most adorable shop windows in The Shambles and it has been featured on my Instagram account more than a time or two. They sell antiques, vintage items and gifts, plus they have a sweet little cafe on the 1st floor. 

It is located at 20 Shambles, York YO1 7LZ


Little Apple Bookshop

Little Apple Bookshop is just around the corner from the Minster. I love quirky, independent bookshops and this one has a killer collection of children’s books, in particular. But if you’re an adult, never fear because they still have a great collection for you too!

It is located at 13 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN


Tullivers Health Shop
 
Tullivers in the the shadow of the Minster and it forever inspires me to be more mindful and eco-friendly. Tullivers sells herbs, eco-friendly cleaning products, and bath and beauty products, organic food, and vitamins and supplements. The staff is super friendly. It’s also the only place in the area that sells Mooncups, fyi. 

It is located at 1-2 Colliergate, York YO1 8BP. 


Bare

Bare has the cutest little baby and children’s clothing. It’s all stylish and fairly gender neutral, and a lot of it is made with organic cottons. Every time I walk by, I have to coo because everything is so tiny and beautiful. If you don’t have baby fever, then you will after peering in the windows. 

It is located at 45 Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1NX


Alligator Whole Foods

Alligator is York’s premier organic food supplier and greengrocers. They also have loads of specialty flours. (And on old-fashioned till). I treated myself to some amazing vanilla for baking and it made such a flavour difference!  

It is located at 104 Fishergate, York YO10 4BB


Cleggs 

Cleggs is another lovely homeware store towards the bar on Goodramgate. (York has a plethora of beautiful, independent homeware stores!) They have some especially gorgeous tiles and replacement knobs for drawers and doors.

It is located at 6 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LQ


The Inkwell 

Inkwell is just caddy-corner to the York Art Gallery. It specialises in rarely released and re-issued vinyl. They also have a variety of books and record players. It’s a great browse for the afternoon, and if you don’t live close by, The Inkwell will let you shop their vinyl online and they ship it to you. 

It is located at 10 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ


Heima 

Another gorgeous homeware and hardware store. It’s really close to Snowhome so you can hit two birds with one stone. They have loads of DIY material and are York’s only stockists of odour- free, eco-friendly clay paints. 

It is located at 34 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ


Do you have any favourite local independent shops? 

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