Smithfield Market
Tenants’ Association
020 7248 3151
info@smithfieldmarket.com

History of the area

Smithfield – or London Central Markets – is not just the largest EU approved wholesale meat market in the country, but the oldest too.

Originally known as Smoothfield, it was a large open space just outside the city boundaries on the edge of St Bartholomew’s Priory. (The name meant a smooth plain – but the word eventually became known as smith, a corruption of the Saxon word smeth, which meant smooth).

In the Twelfth Century it was used as a vast recreational area where jousts and tournaments took place. By the late Middle Ages the area had become the most famous livestock market in the country.

There was also a murkier side to the area, because from the early Thirteenth Century it was used as a place of execution for criminals. Wat Tyler, the leader of the Peasants’ Revolt, was executed here, as was Scottish hero William Wallace and of course, it was the location of Bartholomew Fair – three days of merrymaking, dancing, selling and music which over the centuries became the most debauched and drunken holiday in the calendar. Even so, it lasted almost 700 years before it was eventually closed in 1855.

 

history-info

OPENING TIMES


MONDAY to FRIDAY from

Midnight to 7am

Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.


CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES

Click here for Market Opening times


CORONAVIRUS/COVID 19

As a vital part of the food supply chain in the UK, Smithfield Market Traders in association with the City of London, their landlord, are committed to maintaining business as usual at the Market. Please note that access is via Grand Avenue where a queuing system is in place to ensure social distancing.

We are open as usual Monday to Friday from Midnight to 7am.

We know our meat!

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