Smithfield Meat Market London - A Visitors Guide

Some of the best foodie places to visit in the United Kingdom seem to have the least written about them. So as I have been to this market, I thought I could pass on some info that might help other 'would be' visitors.

Where is it

Smithfield Market is located in the City of London and is close to landmarks such as the Barbican, St Paul’s Cathedral and St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

The nearest tube stations are Farringdon and the Barbican.

For Satellite navigation systems use the post code EC1A 9PS

Parking is available opposite the market, if the markets busy it can be hard to see as the entrance can be blocked by vans and lorrys, the car park spirals down below ground level.

When to go

They are open Monday to Friday's, but not open bank holidays. So weekends are out I am afraid. I recommend mid week, for example I always go on a Thursday, I used to go on a Friday. But it is complete chaos, it's a meeting place for every white van in England. All the restaurants and shops are stocking up for the weekends business. 

Mid week is quiet compared to Friday, so there is more time to talk to the tradesmen and ask questions.

What time to go

Ok if you are not an early riser look away now. It opens at 2am and goes on till 7am. That's all well and good if you live in London, but if you are driving from outside London dont forget the congestion charge starts at 7am and Smithfield market is in it so unless you want to pay £11.50 and sit in London day time traffic you need to get there early. 

Aim for 3.30am for you first time as you can easily spend two hours there. Then you can get out before the worst of the traffic starts. 

Even if you do live in / or are visiting London and are going the market be aware that a lot of traders will be shutting up shop for the day well before 7am. So to see it at its best get there well before 7am.

What you need

Proper Clothes - the market is essentially a fridge so its always cold

Cash - some of the traders now take visa and credit cards, but not all.

Strong bags - meat is heavy especially if you are stocking up

Trolley - if you take a cool box you can use the trolley

Dress appropriately if its cold out as the market seems to hold the cold and you are going early in the morning.

Cash is good as it does help control your spending. You can easily spend several hundred pounds while at the market.

A small amount is easy to carry but if you are going to stock up a freezer or buying for a big BBQ etc. Break it up into smaller amounts and do several trips to the car if you drove. It might sound silly but a box of chicken is 5 Kg, you don't need to buy too much before it gets very heavy, hence the trolley.

Prices

The prices vary between sellers. So look around before spending. But most prices are at least half of what you will pay in most supermarkets. 

Whats available

Everything you can think of and more - its got all the usual cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc. and imported exotic meats. But traders specialize in different areas so check out the traders list before you go or just ask one they will point you in the right direction. 

Download the above as PDF from the Smithfield Market website

Other things to be aware of

if you buy a lot-
Will it fit in your freezer? 
Can you store it in fridge? 
Or eat it before it goes off?

Its easy to get carried away and buy more meat than you can easily transport or store. 

The cheapest way to buy the meat is unprepared i.e. if you buy a pork loin, you buy the entire pork loin from one pig. So you need to allow time to prepare it once you get home and have plenty of freezer bags or similar to store it in. Some traders do pre cut steaks etc. but you do pay more.


If you are intending to take a camera be aware you need to get permission from the traders association.

Enjoy your visit