Smithfield Market
About Smithfield Market
London's historic wholesale meat market, trading through the night beneath a spectacular Victorian iron and glass roof on a site where livestock has been sold for more than 800 years.
History
Smithfield — originally 'smooth field' — was a livestock market outside the city walls from at least the 12th century. It was also a place of public executions and the site of the 1381 confrontation that ended the Peasants' Revolt.
Live animal trading ended in the 1850s, and Sir Horace Jones's ornate London Central Markets opened in 1868, connected underground to the railway. The London Museum is moving into the market's former General Market buildings, while the meat traders continue in the main halls for now.
What to Expect
Expect porters, refrigerated lorries and a working atmosphere in the small hours. The public can buy from many stands, usually in larger cuts and quantities. Even if you don't buy, the Victorian architecture is worth seeing — and a couple of nearby pubs keep market hours for a pint and a full English at dawn.
Known For
Highlights
- Butchers' stands
- Grand Avenue ironwork
- Trade prices for the public
- Market pubs open at dawn
- Nearby Farringdon restaurants
- Historic St Bartholomew's
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can anyone buy meat at Smithfield Market?
- Yes. Most stands will sell to the public, though prices and quantities are geared to the trade.
- What time is Smithfield Market open?
- Trading typically runs overnight from around 02:00 until 07:00, Monday to Friday.
- What is the nearest station to Smithfield Market?
- Farringdon and Barbican stations are both about a five-minute walk away.
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