Smithfield became London's livestock market in the Middle Ages. Animals reared as far away as the Midlands were brought here for sale. In 1174, William Fitzstephen described it as “A smooth field where every Friday there is a celebrated rendezvous of fine horses to be sold…
Dating back to a 1327 charter issued by Edward II, Smithfield is the oldest meat market in London, its proximity to the River Fleet and to grazing sources making it a handy place to bring livestock to trade.
Its focal point is a public square, formerly an open market, now officially called Smithfield Plaza, but known locally as Smithfield Square or Smithfield Market. Notable landmarks include the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery and the Observation Tower. The area also has a seasonal ice rink and a monthly horse fair.
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.
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.
Smithfield: Historic meat market to close after more than 800 years trading in London. There has been a meat market on the site for more than eight centuries, but after 2028 that is set to change after a corporation vote put an end to its ownership.
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.
Today, there are almost 12,700 supermarkets in the UK, with the largest chain being Co-op Food – the brand that launched Britain's first supermarket 76 years ago. Back in 1948, the first UK self-service shop was the London Co-operative Society's unique store in Manor Park, in the East End borough of Newham.
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.
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.
Can the public buy? 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. You will find a wide choice and high quality produce at excellent prices.
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.
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.
The buildings, designed by City Architect Sir Horace Jones, were commissioned in 1866 and completed in November 1868 at a cost of £993,816. The Metropolitan Meat and Poultry Act also authorised the development of the Poultry Market which opened in 1875.
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.
The Town of Smithfield was named after John Smith, “The Miller,” who was granted land by Roger Williams. Smith was one of the original party of six men headed by Roger Williams that formed the first settlement in Rhode Island.
Smithfield meat market, near St Paul's Cathedral, and Billingsgate fish market in Canary Wharf are to be closed after the City of London Corporation voted to withdraw support for them. The Corporation said it would now work with traders to help them find alternative premises.
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.
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 Dagenham site was acquired by the City in 2018 from Barking Power Ltd, and announced as a potential option for bringing Smithfield, Billingsgate and, initially, the Leyton-based New Spitalfields fruit and vegetable market, also owned by the City, together in the same place.
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. Find out more at www.christmasspectacular.ie.
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.
The oldest meat and fish markets in London, which date back 850 years, are facing permanent closure from 2028. Smithfield meat market, near St Paul's Cathedral, and Billingsgate fish market in Canary Wharf are to be closed after the City of London Corporation voted to withdraw support for them.
On September 6, 2013, the US government approved Shuanghui International Holding's purchase of Smithfield Food, Inc. The deal was valued at approximately $7.1 billion, which included debt.
Six months ago, Dagenham Sunday Market ceased trading and it won't now reopen. The community has lost a much-loved market and its traders are having to adapt to the future.
