Anyone can buy meat, poultry and provisions at Smithfield. It is open to the public by Charter: walk through the Market, look around, talk to the salesmen on the front of the stalls.
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.
It's free to enter and pack of festive fun including a vintage fun fair, ice rink, local crafts and gifts, food and drink stalls, Spiegel tent and even a panto. Running right through until January third in Smithfield Square.
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.
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.
What £90 Gets You at Smithfield Meat Market in 2025!
Can the general public buy meat from the Smithfield Market?
Anyone can buy meat, poultry and provisions at Smithfield. It is open to the public by Charter: walk through the Market, look around, talk to the salesmen on the front of the stalls.
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.
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.
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.
Within Dublin's city centre, we arrive at the Smithfield neighbourhood, which boasts one of the most beloved Christmas markets among locals, thanks to its fantastic location, unique atmosphere, and highly acclaimed organization last year.
For the ultimate Christmassy feel in London, head to Covent Garden for its giant tree and lights, Regent Street for its iconic angel lights, and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park for a massive festive market and carnival; while Chelsea's Sloane Square offers charming local lights and markets, creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are open for trading Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET. Cryptocurrency markets are open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Extended trading allows for buying and selling stocks before markets open and after markets close, but rules vary by brokerage firm.
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.
Payment can only be made using the machines within the car park when ready to leave the car park. There are 8 Blue Badge Bays within this car park. The standard tariffs do apply when parking within this car park.
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.
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.
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.
⏰ How much time should you plan at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt? Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours exploring the Market. 🛍️ ⏱️ During peak times (Saturdays and evenings), give yourself extra time for parking and lines. It gets busy — but hey, that's more time to sip Glühwein and people- watch!
As well as its history and infectious energy, Camden Market is great for bagging a bargain – making it favourable over Borough Market for many. You could spend a few hours to an entire day haggling prices and exploring what's on offer.
