Smithfield market

For over 800 years Smithfield has bought and sold quality meats. It is one of the oldest markets in London. Numerous tons of produce pass through this market each year in addition to meat and poultry, products such as cheese, pies, and other delicatessen goods. Buyers including butchers, restaurateurs and caterers are able see the goods for themselves and drive away with what they have bought. Bargaining between buyers and sellers at Smithfield market sets the guidelines for meat and poultry prices throughout the UK.

Recently, Smithfield has undergone many changes in order to enable it to comply with modern hygiene standards. The ancient meat market has been transformed into the most modern in Europe, possibly even the world. There is a very deep rooted history behind Smithfield to say the least and is a well known tourist attraction. The market covers over ten acres of land, making it the largest market in the world.

Smithfield Market is located near the city and in very early times was used for public events such as jousts, tournaments and executions. Between 1553 and 1558, Queen Mary I had 300 Protestants burned at the stake at Smithfield, earning her the nickname 'Bloody Mary'. In this very same area, long before Smithfield came along, the annual Bartholomew Fair was held there but after a time the authorities got rather weary with the public disorder and closed it up. It was then that the Market came to be known.

If your plans include visiting the Smithfield it is advised that you might set your alarm clock early because by 8 am, you will have missed everything. Some of the local pubs have special early licenses and keep market hours, so breakfast with beer, with the meat porters and early-rising office workers is possible.

Many of the best restaurants and hotels buy their meat at Smithfield market and the site is famed for the quality of the produce available. There have been up to 162 stalls across the east and west buildings in the past and are currently forty-three temperature controlled areas for customers to visit. Smithfield is an institution that is as necessary today as it has always been and is worthy of a passing visit on the way to St Paul's or before trying one of the popular bars and restaurants in the Farringdon area which has developed a trendy reputation over the past few years. Farringdon or Barbican stations are only a few minutes walk from the market.