Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate one of the smallest streets in York I'll have you know. A City that boasts epithets such as this must be worth a visit right? Right.
Now, before you say, I know. What I mention below are not technically 'markets' but as the defenition states (Market.Noun: A regular gathering of people for the purchase and sale of provisions, livestock, and other commodities) I think I can just about get away with it .
An antique lovers dream with fablous one-stop-shops for all your needs I always pay a visit to York Red House Antique Centre next to the Theatre Royal. 60 dealers housed over two floors. A gem of a place for paintings, silver, vintage costume and accessories. I got the perfect crystal and pearl beaded antique collar, edged it in silk ribbon (all by myself!) and created a gorgeous wearable evening tippet, which see's me through every posh evening event or wedding!
After a good morning spent rummaging there, lunch is generally spent at stunning Yorkshire institution Betty's, the Art Deco ship inspired Belmont room, harks back to a more glamourous age, where taking tea (with all its accoutrements) really was the treat it should be. So, not only can you fill up, on dainty sandwiches, minature jewel coloured cakes and scones with Yorkshire clotted cream, but rest your weary feet and absorb inspiration for your next stop.
This, usually for me is the largest antique store in York, just a short stroll toward the Minster from Betty's. The Antique Centre York is spread over 3 floors and is jam packed with over 100 dealers housed in a Georgian Townhouse on the fabulous Roman Stonegate. This really is the store to come to with a specific item in mind, they will even source things for you, but this is THE place for Antique Jewellery.
1920's Diamond earrings (I've decided at after the Belmont room - these are a must), to a 1960's Lucite brooch, and Victorian mourning jewellery (we are not far from Whitby, the home of quality Jet)and a gorgeous edwardian gold garnet cross. I must warn you though - that it is impossible not to buy something here, I often have the best of intentions and a list of what I need, but I am weak. This magpie in particular has to have someone a little bit less emotional in tow to rein her in!
Surprisingly, for such a fabulous jeweller, they are also my first port of call in the U.K. for Door Accessories, similar to those sourced in Lisbon you will remember from my previous post. It is not always possible to fly to Portugal at short notice, and when my interior designers need something quickly, a quick zip up the A1 is necessary. The green glass versions in the picture were the perfect answer for a kitchen with neutral colours, indian slate floors and splash backs. The green really brought out the natural striations in the stone. This is a great way of updating your kitchen, change the knobs and accessories - it's as easy as that! If it's a new kitchen you are considering, neutral/ivory doors and natural stone are definately the way to go. You will be able to update it whenever the mood takes you and the colours incorporated in marble or slate will always give you inspiration - test new colour schemes out with coloured tea towels for a week first!
Finally, as evening draws to a close, and after a mooch around Newgate Market, especially at Easter and Christmas time, I head over to my final stop. My ear's are adorned, my stomach full and check list ticked, so it is time to find me some clothes! The award winning Vintage Emporium York
has everything I could ever want. Tea dresses, 40's suits, shoes, parasols, and even a gladstone bag, to drag home all my wears! Men you are catered for too, Top Hats and Bowlers, waistcoats and cufflinks a fabulous hour spent here and 'byep' you'll be the most dapper Dandy in town.
If I'm staying, I love nothing more than a walk around the city walls as night falls, a pint or two in the Kings Arms on the river Ouse, you can even canoe there when it floods! Well, it would be rude not to visit a Samuel Smiths or two, 'When in Yorkshire, do as ......'. Bottoms Up!
