London's primary fish market is called Billingsgate Market. Located at Trafalgar Way in Poplar (near Canary Wharf) since 1982, it is the United Kingdom's largest inland fish market, operating over 13 acres with around 98 stands and 30 shops. It is open to both traders and the public early in the morning.
Is it worth going to the Billingsgate Fish Market?
Heavily crowded when went, however found spaces in shorter queues in local cafes and bars - food was decent / tried oysters first time, overall nice! Use it or Loose it. Still the very best place to buy fish from people who know . Can also source rare pieces when given time.
In November 2024, the council announced it did not intend to proceed with these plans as they were no longer economically viable; instead, Billingsgate Fish Market and Smithfield Market would close in or after 2028 with no replacements.
The UK market most famous for selling fish is Billingsgate Market in London, renowned as the UK's largest inland fish market, known for its vast selection, tradition, and early morning wholesale for restaurants, though it also serves the public, while Brixham Fish Market in Devon is famous for being England's biggest by value and landing high-value catches.
On December 3, 2025, Albert Island at the Royal Docks was announced as the new preferred site to co-locate Smithfield and Billingsgate Markets. These markets will become known as New Smithfield and New Billingsgate Markets.
Uk's Largest Fish Market - Billingsgate Fish Market London | Watch this before visit #billingsgate
Is fish cheaper at Billingsgate?
Yes, fish is generally cheaper at London's Billingsgate Market, especially if you're buying in bulk (by the kilo or box) and are willing to get up early to shop, offering wholesale prices that beat many high street retailers, though some find prices similar to supermarkets for smaller quantities, with the main benefit being freshness and variety.
The Old Billingsgate is easily accessible by tube, bus, train, and taxi. The nearest tube station is Monument (200 metres). The Old Billingsgate is a 2 minute drive from London Bridge and 15 minutes away from the West End – (Use the Google map above to get directions).
Billingsgate Market is closing because its current site is outdated, inefficient for modern logistics, and contributes to congestion, with the City of London Corporation cancelling a planned £1bn relocation to Dagenham due to rising costs, but plans are now in place to move both Billingsgate and Smithfield to a new site in the Royal Docks by 2028, allowing for modernization while redeveloping the old sites for housing and culture.
Fish that eat other fish usually have the most mercury. These include: In the ocean, Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, Marlin, Orange Roughy, Tilefish (from the Gulf of Mexico), and Bigeye Tuna. In lakes and rivers, Black Bass species (for example, Largemouth Bass), Striped Bass, Pikeminnow, and White Sturgeon.
What is the best time to go to the Billingsgate market?
When is the best time to go to Billingsgate? As the market opens at 4am, most serious buyers are in and out before half five if not before. However, remember you'll have to queue if you arrive before 5am. We would suggest arriving any time after that and possibly the optimal time is around 5:30am.
Last month we saw the first fully licenced bluefin tuna caught on a commercial vessel in Newlyn. The landed fish weighed in at 245 kg and made a sale price of over £14 per kilo a whopping total of over £3400! However, tuna catching is highly regulated, and rightly so.
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The title for the UK's most expensive takeaway is contested, but prominent contenders include a £950 lobster mac-n-cheese with black truffle and gold from a 2017 London pop-up, and viral £65 giant fish and chips meals from places like Archie's Fish and Chips in Thanet, often shared. Luxury options like fine dining takeaways from places like Ynyshir also exist, while some viral "expensive" items focus on sheer size, like a £300 burger mentioned in 2025.
Billingsgate Market is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 5am to 8.30am. On Sundays, only the shellfish market is open from 6am to 8am. The market is closed on Mondays and bank holidays, except Good Friday.
Billingsgate Market is closing because its current site is outdated, inefficient for modern logistics, and contributes to congestion, with the City of London Corporation cancelling a planned £1bn relocation to Dagenham due to rising costs, but plans are now in place to move both Billingsgate and Smithfield to a new site in the Royal Docks by 2028, allowing for modernization while redeveloping the old sites for housing and culture.
The best days to buy fish are generally Thursday through Sunday, as these are the busiest days, meaning more turnover and wider variety, especially for specific types like Mahi-Mahi or whole fish, though Monday/Tuesday might be best for certain staples if deliveries are consistent, but always check with your fishmonger for local freshness. While the old rule was to avoid Mondays due to weekend delivery gaps, modern supply chains often make fresh fish available daily, so asking your fishmonger when it arrived is the best advice, regardless of the day.
In 2025, 68% of London leavers stayed in the South of England (South East, South West or East of England) – the highest proportion since 2021 and up from 62% in 2024. This marks a reversal of the pandemic and then affordability-led trend that pushed buyers further into the Midlands and North.
