Yes, anyone can buy from London's Smithfield Market, as it is open to the public as well as trade customers. While primarily a wholesale market for meat and poultry operating in the early morning (typically 12 AM to 7 AM, Monday-Friday), individuals can buy high-quality,Often cheaper-than-supermarket meat in bulk.
Yes, London's historic Smithfield Meat Market is still open for business in early 2026, operating early mornings Monday to Friday, but plans are confirmed for its permanent closure by 2028, with the City of London Corporation voting to wind down operations and relocate traders to new premises, ending centuries of trading at the site.
Fascinating experience but not for the faint hearted. Definitely worth seeing at 3-4am at its busiest. Go with a clear idea of what you want to buy as the choice & quantities are overwhelming. Vendors can be abrupt- avoid no.
What is the best time to go to Smithfields market?
The market at Smithfield is open MONDAY to FRIDAY MORNINGS from Midnight to 7am but is closed on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Although some selling takes place until mid-morning, to see the market at its best and find the full range of stalls open, visitors and buyers should arrive well before 7am.
But this experiential landscape can easily be disrupted. The announcement by the City of London Corporation in November that Smithfield market is to close after almost 900 years of trading has been met with surprise and dismay. Many Londoners fear Smithfield's special sense of place will be lost for good as a result.
What £90 Gets You at Smithfield Meat Market in 2025!
What is the 3 5 7 rule in day trading?
At its core, the 3-5-7 rule sets three clear boundaries: 3%: The maximum amount of your trading capital you should risk on any single trade. 5%: The total amount of capital you should have exposed across all open trades at any given time. 7%: The minimum profit you should aim to make on your winning trades.
Smithfield was almost a city within a city – and one with its own hours. To give customers time to buy and prepare their meat for sale the same day, the market opened at night.
In a surprising turn of events, the world-famous meat and fish markets might not actually be closing down for good. Phew. The City of London Corporation voted to withdraw its support for the 850-year-old markets in November 2024, meaning they would have to shut forever by 2028.
The cheapest months to visit London are typically January, February, and late autumn (November), right after major holidays, offering lower prices on flights and hotels due to cooler weather and fewer crowds. Early March and the shoulder seasons of September to November also provide good value before spring and summer peak. Avoid summer and December for the best deals, as these are peak tourist times.
Parking fees around Smithfield Market can vary depending on the location and time. On-street parking is typically controlled by parking meters, with fees averaging £3-£5 per hour. Nearby parking garages such as Hatton Garden Car Park offer more secure options, often charging between £10-£25 for daily rates.
Yes, you can buy meat directly from abattoirs in the UK, especially smaller, local ones that offer direct sales, private kills (where you buy a whole or half animal for butchering to your specs), or sell to the public, often alongside their wholesale operations for butchers, providing very fresh, traceable, and high-quality meat. Finding them involves searching for approved establishments and contacting them to see if they offer direct-to-consumer services, sometimes requiring you to buy larger quantities like a half carcass.
Yes, you can wear jeans to The Shard for the observation deck, but for the restaurants and bars, it's smart casual, meaning jeans are often okay if they're clean and smart, but ripped denim, sportswear, shorts, and some trainers are usually discouraged. It depends on the venue (Aqua Shard, Ting, etc.), but generally, a nice pair of dark jeans with a smart shirt or blazer is acceptable for many places, though some higher-end spots might be stricter.
Yes, absolutely! Anyone can shop at London's historic Smithfield Market (and Manchester's New Smithfield Market), not just trade buyers like restaurants and butchers, but the general public can buy meat, poultry, fish, and produce, often at better prices, though you'll usually need to buy in bulk and be prepared for an early start.
Get there early. The market is open from 2am-7am, however the best stock gets snapped up fast! Peak time to visit is around 4am. Parking is available at the Rotunda car park and market customers get a special rate.
When the plan was made public, in April 2019, excitement was expressed about the City of London Corporation, owner of the Smithfield meat market in Farringdon, Billingsgate fish market in Poplar and the New Spitalfields horticultural produce hub in Leyton, consolidating all three in one place.
Borough Market has a history spanning over a millenium and is widely considered London's oldest retail and wholesale food market. It's been operating at its current site since 1756. With over 100 stalls covering about 4.5 acres, Borough Market is also one of the largest food markets in the capital.
Smithfield Market is located in the City of London and is close to landmarks such as the Barbican, St Paul's Cathedral and St Bartholomew's Hospital. The nearest tube stations are Farringdon and Barbican - the market is only a few minutes walk from each.
London's historic Smithfield meat market is to close for good after the City of London Corporation voted to pull out of plans to relocate it and Billingsgate fish market to Dagenham.
