What is the Christmas meat auction at Smithfield Market in London?

What is it? Every Christmas, as the sundry meat suppliers of Smithfield Market in the City of London take a break, their surplus meats are sold off to the public during a raucous meat auction. It's a tradition that spans back a century or so, and a time when the meat had to be got rid of because there were no fridges.

Why is Smithfield meat market closing down?

While many are concerned for traders and the loss of the market's unique sights, sounds and smells, the corporation's decision – blamed on rising costs – is just the latest step in the decades' long transformation of the wider Smithfield area.

Can the public buy meat at Smithfield?

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.

What is the Smithfield Christmas market in London?

The Smithfield Market Christmas Eve meat auction is an annual holiday tradition in London. Every year, buyers visit the historic London market to buy surplus cuts of meat in cash-only bargain transactions.

What's in Smithfield Christmas Market?

The Christmas Market

Set under twinkling lights, the Smithfield Christmas Market will feature red-roof chalets brimming with artisan food, festive drinks, and unique gifts. Enjoy a mulled wine or warm cider, savor the best local treats, and soak up the holiday atmosphere on the cobblestones of Smithfield Square.

The Smithfield Meat Market Christmas Eve Auction - 24 December 2024, London, UK.

How much does it cost to go to the Smithfield Christmas Market?

Entry to the Christmas Market is free of charge while for certain attractions such as the Ice Rink and Ice Museum, advance purchase of tickets is recommended via the website. Tickets for the Big Wheel are available on site.

Why is Smithfield Market only open at night?

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.

Which is the best Christmas Market in London?

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland is one of London's most popular Christmas markets, a destination for families and friends to enjoy the festive fun. Taking over Hyde Park, there is more to the market than meets the eye.

Where has Smithfield Meat Market moved to?

The corporation decided in a separate vote last November to permanently close Smithfield and Billingsgate when it pulled the plug on a planned £740m relocation to a new site in the east of the capital at Dagenham, blaming rising costs.

Can you walk through Smithfield Market?

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.

Is the Billingsgate market closing?

For most of that time, the sellers have been family firms, passing the trade from one generation to the next. But now, along with its sister, Smithfield meat market in Farringdon, the site is set to close by 2028, with its traders relocated. These are the last days of Billingsgate as we know it.

Is it worth going to Smithfield Market?

As the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest in Europe, Smithfield Market is a cornerstone of London's culinary scene and a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.

Who owns Smithfield market London?

Still, the news this week that Smithfield will close — its owner, the City of London Corporation, killed a plan to move the market to a new site in East London — came as something of a jolt to him.

Is Smithfield meat market operating for 900 years in London to close after vote?

End of an era: Historic 900-year-old London meat market faces the chop by 2028. The UK local authority that manages London's “Square Mile” financial district on Tuesday voted to close the city's historic wholesale meat market from 2028, ending trading dating back to the 1100s.

Is the Smithfield market still on?

It has been confirmed that Dublin's Victorian fruit and veg market in Smithfield will finally reopen in 2026. The historic red brick building on Mary's Lane, between Capel Street and Smithfield, has remained empty since its closure in 2019 to facilitate redevelopment.

What will replace the Smithfield market?

If the plans proceed, the Smithfield site will become home to the new London Museum, while the land at Canary Wharf that will be unlocked by relocating Billingsgate could provide around 2,000 new homes, it said.

What is Smithfield market famous for?

The area is best known for the Smithfield meat market, which dates from the 10th century, has been in continuous operation since medieval times, and is now London's only remaining wholesale market. Smithfield's principal street is called West Smithfield.

Was Smithfield the oldest market in London?

Smithfield Market is one of the oldest markets in London, primarily known for livestock and meat trading. However, it is not specifically a cloth market. The oldest cloth market in London is generally considered to be the 'Cloth Fair' which was established in the 12th century. Therefore, the statement is false.

Where is the biggest Christmas Market in England?

Where is best for Christmas shopping in the UK? For Christmas shopping, Manchester is a fantastic choice. Home to one of the largest Christmas markets in the UK, with over 300 stalls spread across multiple locations. You'll find everything from handmade gifts and festive decorations to delicious food and drink.

Where will Smithfield meat market move to?

On 26 November a decision was taken by the Court of Common Council to end the planned move of Billingsgate and Smithfield markets to a new location in Dagenham, and instead to provide financial support to the traders to enable them to move to new locations of their choosing.

Why has Smithfield Market closed?

While many are concerned for traders and the loss of the market's unique sights, sounds and smells, the corporation's decision – blamed on rising costs – is just the latest step in the decades' long transformation of the wider Smithfield area.

What is sold at Smithfield Market in London?

Smithfield Market is the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. Located within the Square Mile of the City of London it is housed in two Grade-II listed buildings.

Is Smithfield and Billingsgate historic London markets to close after over 800 years?

The corporation announced the permanent closure of London's historic Smithfield meat market and Billingsgate fish market in late 2024, when it pulled the plug on a planned £1bn relocation to a new sitein the east of the capital at Dagenham.

When did Smithfield Meat Market open?

Many historical events have taken place at the market.

Smithfield opened as a livestock market in the 1830's and as a 'dead' market in 1868. A fire destroyed part of the market in 1958, in which tragically two firefighters lost their lives. Smithfield still stands after nearly a thousand years.