The original, historic Old Billingsgate Market on Lower Thames Street in the City of London closed in January 1982. Following its closure, the fish market relocated to its current, modern site in Poplar, East London (near West India Dock/Canary Wharf).
The first purpose-built market was constructed in 1850 on Lower Thames Street. But these buildings couldn't handle the growing trade, leading to a complete rebuild in 1874–1877.
Most traders from both markets have agreed to move together to a new site, although the current markets will stay open until at least 2028, the City of London Corporation said. It added that it had signed an agreement with the Greater London Authority to work on the proposals.
After almost eight centuries at the heart of life in the capital and a period where their future lay in doubt, the historic Smithfield and Billingsgate markets are to get a new home on a former industrial site in east London.
Is Smithfield and Billingsgate historic London markets to close after 800 years?
London's Smithfield meat market is set to close after more than 800 years, with trading expected to cease for good after 2028. The City of London Corporation, which runs the site, said on Tuesday its council voted to stop operating Smithfield and Billingsgate fish market.
Yes, anyone can shop at Billingsgate Market, as it's legally a "free and open" market for both wholesale (trade) and the general public to buy fresh fish, but you need to go very early (around 4-5 AM) for the best selection and be mindful of the busy, industrial environment, including wearing sturdy shoes and being aware of forklift traffic, with kids under 12 not permitted.
The City of London announces that the markets will still close, but they will NOT now relocate to Dagenham. This seems to spell the end for Smithfield Market and Billingsgate Market as coherent entities.
When the plan was made public, in April 2019, excitement was expressed about the City of London Corporation, owner of the Smithfield meat market in Farringdon, Billingsgate fish market in Poplar and the New Spitalfields horticultural produce hub in Leyton, consolidating all three in one place.
Borough Market is a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark, London, England. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century.
At least one house was occupied in 440 and still receiving supplies from the Mediterranean. Yet by the end of that century Londinium seems to have been deserted, and remained so for over 400 years until re-established by the Saxon King Alfred of Wessex.
While "prettiest" is subjective, Henley-on-Thames is widely considered a top contender for the most picturesque town on the Thames, known for its classic English charm, historic buildings, vibrant Regatta, and beautiful setting near the Chilterns. Other contenders for beauty include Marlow for its idyllic riverside setting, Windsor for its iconic castle, and charming spots like Richmond for riverside pubs and greenery.
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.
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!
Bass are extremely slow growing – a 10lb bass could be over 20 years old. in-shore Bass are vulnerable to overfishing and there is a bag limit of 2 bass per angler per day in force in the UK.
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.
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.
What's 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.
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 truth is, you can find both kinds at Aldi. The company sells value-pack packages of frozen wild-caught pink salmon filets (which make delicious baked salmon with burst tomatoes) along with cans of wild Alaskan pink salmon (which is one canned meat you should be eating).
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.
