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
Billingsgate Market is located in the City of London and is close to landmarks such as the Canary Wharf
The nearest stations is the Docklands Light Railway - Poplar.
For Satellite navigation systems use the post code E14 5ST
Parking is available in the market currently £2 for 2 hours of parking.
The nearest stations is the Docklands Light Railway - Poplar.
For Satellite navigation systems use the post code E14 5ST
Parking is available in the market currently £2 for 2 hours of parking.
When to go
They are open Tuesday to Saturdays's, not open bank holidays or the Tuesday that follows one. 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 4am and goes on till 9am.
Aim for 3.30am for you first time as you can easily spend an hour there. But you cant buy anything before 4am. So why get there at 3.30am? you can park and look around at all the fish and get prices. 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 to the market be aware that a lot of traders will be shutting up shop for the day well before 9am. So to see it at its best get there well before 9am.
What you need
Proper Clothes - the market is essentially a fridge so its always cold
Correct Footwear - the floor is wet and slippery
Correct Footwear - the floor is wet and slippery
Cash - some of the traders now take visa and credit cards, but not all.
Strong bags - fish 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. You need good waterproof boots as there is a lot of water under foot.
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 couple of cod fillets is 3+ 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 140+ different species of fish. 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.
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?
When is your bin day as fish guts etc. will stink in the bin after a few days.
Its easy to get carried away and buy more fish than you can easily transport or store.
The cheapest way to buy the fish is unprepared i.e. if you buy a trout, you buy the entire trout and have to gut it and clean it yourself. 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 gutted and cleaned fish 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
If you are intending to take a camera be aware you need to get permission from the traders association.
Enjoy your visit
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