Smithfield Market, or London Central Markets as it is officially known, is the only wholesale Market that remains located on its original site within the Square Mile. The East and West Market Buildings were completed in 1868, livestock and meat has been traded on the site for over 1000 years.
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.
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.
Spitalfields Markets know also as meat market - things to do in London
Does the Smithfield Market still exist?
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.
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 City of London Corporation, which runs the site, said on Tuesday its council voted to stop operating Smithfield and Billingsgate fish market. The original plan had been to relocate the markets to a £1bn development in Dagenham, but a sharp rise in construction costs and wider inflation forced a rethink.
Located in the heart of East London, this is the original East London market place that has been on-site for over 350 years. It all started back in 1638 when King Charles I gave a licence for flesh, fowl and roots to be sold on Spittle Fields, which used to be a rural area on the eastern outskirts of London.
Borough Market has a history spanning over a millennium and is widely considered London's oldest retail and wholesale food market. It's been operating at its current site since 1756. With over 100 stalls covering about 4.5 acres, Borough Market is also one of the largest food markets in the capital.
You'll find award-winning traders, famous street eats, and hidden gems tucked within its maze of stalls and passageways. Whether you're craving gourmet cheese, sizzling street food, or handcrafted pastries, Borough Market offers a feast for the senses. Its bustling atmosphere, always full of locals and travelers alike.
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.
Shepherd Market is a small square and plaza situated perfectly in between Green Park and Washington Mayfair Hotel. In this quaint market you can find a variety of unique boutique shops, beautiful Victorian pubs and impressive restaurants.
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.
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 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.
Soak up the atmosphere as you explore London's best outdoor markets including Old Spitalfields, Camden Market, Portobello Road, or find gifts from local designers and artisans at the likes of Greenwich Market.
How do I get to Spitalfields Market by tube from London?
The nearest tube station is Leyton on the Central Line. Directions: Exit the station, turn right, a taxi office can be found at the foot of the hill. The Market is approximately a 10-15 minute walk from the station.
Camden Market is a colourful mix of everything that makes London fun. You'll find vintage clothes, handmade crafts, bold art, and street food from all over the world. With over 1,000 stalls, you can easily spend hours wandering around looking for cool finds, tasty snacks, or just soaking up the atmosphere.
London's historic Smithfield meat market is to close for good after the City of London Corporation voted to pull out of plans to relocate it and Billingsgate fish market to Dagenham.
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.
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.
