If you’re heading to the spooky city of York anytime soon, there’s no doubt you’ll want to buy a ghost from The York Ghost Merchants. Read my guide to everything you need to know about this charming shop in the heart of the Shambles.
If you’ve ever wanted to get your hands on your very own ghost, what better place to get one than from the city of a thousand ghosts?
As makers and sellers of York Ghosts, The York Ghost Merchants is a remarkable shop that sits in the medieval Shambles in York.
Inside this charming Georgian-inspired shop, you’ll find around 600 unique ghosts to choose from. The ghosts are made from a ceramic-like material, and each is totally unique. They are presented in plush red velvet displays and oak-panelled walls across the store. You can also find some hiding behind paintings and in other hidden spots.
Ghosts come in two sizes – The Original at 8cm tall and the Little at 5cm tall. They also come in a variety of different subgenres: Phantoms, Stonemason Ghosts, Gem Stonemasons and Metallic Ghosts, to name just a few! However, these subgenres are rare and only available in the shop on occasion.
The ghosts are reminiscent of traditional ghosts, like bedsheets with two holes for eyes. They can be purchased in colourful designs or simply traditional white with black eyes.
It can be overwhelming choosing the right ghost – or rather, finding the ghost that chooses you. But once you do, you have the opportunity to take a beautiful photo of your ghost(s) in a display before they are thoughtfully placed in beautiful boxes and packaging.
If you’re exploring York’s darker history, the Ghost Merchants are just one of many eerie attractions in the city – I’ve put together a full guide to the best spooky things to do in York if you want to build a full haunted itinerary.
The History of the York Ghost Merchants
The York Ghost Merchants are the only ghost merchants still trading in the twenty-first century, following traditions imposed by The Sorrowful Guild of Master Ghost Makers. The York Ghost Merchants was created by David Bloodworthy and Angus McArthur and opened in 2019.
What Is Special About York Ghost Merchants?
A ghost from The York Ghost Merchants is the perfect souvenir from the city of a thousand ghosts.
Choosing a ghost is a unique and special experience and each one is made by hand with special techniques. Each ghost is embossed with maker’s mark: two torches, crossed and upside down, as a nod to Victorian symbolism.
Ghosts are also individually packaged in beautiful boxes – decorated with doodles from inside the shop – to help the ghost feel at home during its journey from the Shambles to its new home.
Part of the charm of buying a ghost from The York Ghost Merchants is the experience of visiting, exploring the store and settling on your very own ghost. Though the lines to get inside can be long, it’s worth the wait. Once inside, the merchants are eager to make your visit as magical as possible.
What are York Ghost Merchants made of?
If you’re wondering what the ghosts from The York Ghost Merchants are made of, it’s a secret! The website only states that they’re made from a natural, water-based, non-toxic British material.
How Long Is the Queue for York Ghost Merchants?
On busy days, queues for The York Ghost Merchants can take up to three hours or more. Luckily, there’s plenty to see along the Shambles while you wait. Shopkeepers from The York Ghost Merchants often come out to greet visitors and chat with them. There’s also a fair queueing system in place. There are places within the Shambles to grab food and drink whilst waiting, including Butterbeer!
The key to avoiding the queues is to visit on quieter days: weekdays outside of the school holidays, for example. Many people recommend getting to the shop early and at least half an hour before it opens at 10am. I would also recommend swinging by in the early afternoon to see if things are quieter.
When we visited, we went by at about half three and only had to wait around 40 minutes. We passed the time quickly with some tasty Butterbeer.
How Much Do the Ghosts Cost?
Original ghosts cost £17, and Little ghosts cost £9. Polished ghosts cost £28 and £15, whereas rare ghosts are priced at £15 upwards.
How old are the York Ghost Merchants?
The building the ghost makers are based in dates back to 1780, whereas traditional ghost-making in York dates back more than 600 years!
The York Ghost Merchants Guild Room
Just a short walk away from the Shambles is The Guild Room, a second location where you can shop for your ghosts in a more laid-back setting. Entry is strictly by appointment or invitation only, with 45-minute appointments in limited supply.
The York Ghost Merchants Guild Room is just one of many quirky and spooky attractions featured on The Morbid Map, alongside haunted pubs, ghost walks and dark history sites.
The Ghost Dispensary
During busy periods, you can also find the Dispensary trading booth. It can be found within the tranquil surroundings of St Anthony’s Garden, around a five-minute walk away from The Shambles. It doesn’t adhere to normal opening hours and merchants will guide people to the Ghost Dispensary from the Shambles on busy days. The Ghost Dispensary offers a reduced selection of ghosts and does not stock rare or unusual collections, but is still worth exploring. I visited recently when there were very long lines for the main Ghost Merchants Shop, and the Ghost Dispensary was empty! I had ample time to not only select my ghosts in a relaxed manner (essential, because there are so many to choose from!), but chat away to the staff about the spooky history of York. I loved it.
Of course, people do prefer to visit the original shop, but I cannot recommend The Ghost Dispensary enough. There are still lots of photo opportunities too!
Spooky Tips for Visiting
Visiting this charming and spooky shop is a must-do when in York, but the queues can sometimes take the charm away a little! Here are some tips for visiting:
- Get there early…or late. Most people recommend turning up early to get in, but even then, the lines can be long. If you have a few days available in York, try swinging by at later times on the off-chance that the queues are short. If you have no luck, line up early before it opens as a last (and guaranteed) resort.
- Even if you have to queue, try to lean into the experience. Chat with the staff and other people queuing, and grab a Butterbeer whilst you wait.
- Take your time within the shop. It can be tempting to get in and out quickly due to the wait times, but it’s best to enjoy the atmosphere when choosing the perfect ghost. It can be very overwhelming when you first walk in!
- This is an obvious one, but try to visit outside of summer holidays and on weekdays.
- You can also purchase ghosts online – although this can be a challenge too! Sales only happen at particular points of the year, with previews appearing online in advance.
Have you visited The York Ghost Merchants? Let me know!
The York Ghost Merchants
www.yorkghostmerchants.com
6 Shambles, York YO1 7LZ, United Kingdom
Entry is free.
There are public toilets and car parks nearby.
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