Yes, visiting Smithfield Market is worth it for a unique, historic London experience, particularly if you are interested in food, history, or photography. As one of Europe's largest,800-year-old operational meat markets, it offers a vibrant, albeit intense, glimpse into a traditional wholesale environment.
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.
The City Guides run walking tours of Smithfield for members of the public on a monthly basis. Hear how Smithfield meat market has changed throughout its 800 year history and experience its working life first-hand on this special tour.
The best day of the week to get the best selection is Wednesday, specifically during the afternoons. By then, Tuesday night's deliveries should be fully restocked on shelves, so you'll have dibs on the freshest goods before the hungry after-work crowd arrives.
Smithfield is London's historic meat market – and an area that's witnessed both public executions and the excitement of Bartholomew Fair. Now it's home to London Museum. Smithfield livestock market in 1811, 50 years before it became a wholesale meat market.
What £90 Gets You at Smithfield Meat Market in 2025!
What time to get to Smithfield 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.
What is the difference between Spitalfields Market and Old Spitalfields Market?
Spitalfields Market and Old Spitalfields Market are essentially the same vibrant destination in London's East End, though sometimes considered slightly different sections – Old Spitalfields Market refers to the historic Victorian covered market hall (focusing on antiques, vintage, crafts on certain days), while "Spitalfields Market" often encompasses the broader area including modern shops, food stalls, and pop-ups around the original structure, with both offering diverse shopping, dining, and events, especially busy on weekends.
London blends safe and risky zones. Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Croydon top the danger list. East and South London face more crime, and tourist hubs like Westminster add risk too. Stay sharp and use safety tips to stay secure.
Spitalfields Traders Market can have anywhere up to 110 stalls on its busiest days. An eclectic offering of hand-made t-shirts, fine jewellery and even dog clothes ensures there is something for everyone's taste and budget.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Colchester is England's oldest recorded market town, dating to at least the time of the Roman occupation of Britain's southern regions. Another ancient market town is Cirencester, which held a market in late Roman Britain.
Yes, Leadenhall Market is generally considered worth visiting, especially for its stunning Victorian architecture, historic charm, and as a filming location (Harry Potter's Leaky Cauldron), though it's more of a beautiful spot for lunch, drinks, and people-watching in a historic setting than a traditional market for diverse goods. Its value depends on your interests: it's great for architecture fans, foodies looking for a historic lunch spot, or fans of the films, but it's small and less of a bustling market now.
The 5-4-3-2-1 grocery method is a viral TikTok trend for balanced, easy meal planning, guiding you to buy 5 vegetables, 4 fruits, 3 proteins, 2 grains/carbs, and 1 fun treat (or 2 sauces/spreads + 1 treat) for the week, simplifying shopping by focusing on food groups rather than specific recipes, allowing for flexibility while ensuring a variety of nutrients.
Avoid weekends: Without a doubt, weekends are the busiest days to shop, with Saturday leading the list. Mondays and Tuesdays are the least busy but stores may be out of a lot of items, especially if sales start on Wednesday.
