For tenants of Smithfield Market getting up in the dark is the nothing
out of the ordinary; with the market opening at 4am these hard working
folk start work when London's clubbers are just going home. As one of
the oldest and most attractive markets in London Smithfield is a
must-see. Steeped in history, there's been a lively trade in livestock
on this ground since the 10th century when horses, swine and oxen were
sold in the 'smooth field' on Fridays. It's this smoothness which is
said to be where Smithfield gets its name. Today, meat, poultry,
cheese, pies, and other delicatessen goods are available for wholesale
here so the crowd it attracts largely consists of butchers,
restaurateurs and caterers. The central avenues allow customers to walk
through the market but to get a closer look they must dress up in clean
protective clothes. The market buildings which still stand and operate today
were designed by City Architect Sir Horace Jones in 1866. Rail was
taking off at that time and the East and West Buildings were built
above new lines connecting London to every other part of the country,
enabling meat to be delivered directly to the market. A recent £70
million refurbishment has created a thoroughly modern temperature
controlled environment inside a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian
building. A visit to the market is all about soaking up the atmosphere - and dropping into gastro pub Smiths of Smithfield opposite for pint with the
papers.
The Rookery
Cowcross Street, EC1M 6DS
A wonderfully quirky little hotbed of history, mums will love the timber beams and slanting ceilings of this charming old hotel.... More
The Rookery
Peter's Lane, Cowcross Street, EC1M 6DS
As cosy as a gentleman's club but not nearly so stuffy, The Rookery is a perfect romantic getaway - and consequently... More
Spooky Smithfields & Beyond
Butcher's Hook & Cleaver, EC1A 9DY
Monday 26th October 2009
Take a haunted walk around Spooky Smithfields & Beyond with one of... More
Many of London's most special and idiosyncratic hotels benefit from a historic tradition of opulent living. With hundreds of years of experience in the trade,... More
Smithfield Market
West Smithfield, EC1A 9PQ
Mondays to Fridays 4:00-12:00
For tenants of Smithfield Market getting up in the dark is nothing out of the ordinary;... More
Whittington Avenue,
off Gracechurch Street,The City,
London,
EC3VMap
22 minutes walk from Smithfield Market
Leadenhall Market is a restored Victorian covered market that sells traditional game, poultry, fish and meat. Although there has been a forum (market place) on ... More
Its location opposite Smithfield Market is a very appropriate spot for the Farm Collective to set up shop. Working with select farmers and small producers, this ... More
Filled with old fashioned touches like wood panelling, old paintings, stone flagged floors, claw foot baths and open fires, The Rookery has plenty of character. ... More
St John’s Square 86-88 Clerkenwell Road,London,
EC1MMap
6 minutes walk from Smithfield Market
This boutique hotel in trendy Clerkenwell fits right in with the warehouse chic designer feel of the neighbourhood. Mixing vintage chairs with stark modern prints, ... More
With contributions from Surrealists such as Salvador Dali, Marcel Duchamp and Rene Magritte, The Surreal House looks at how the individual house is a place ...More
Antony Gormley's wire sculpture Flare II is temporarily suspended from the Geometric Staircase at St Paul's Cathedral adding a modern element to the cathedral's already ...More
St Bartholomew the Great is a historic church founded in 1123 and the oldest parish church in the City of London. Features include the pre-Reformation ... More
Comptoir Gascon operated as a deli with a few tables until they switched things around in October 2005, reducing the deli counter and installing enough ... More
Situated in the heart of London, Career Energy – formed in March 2002 - offers comprehensive advice on careers, career change and job searching. They’ll ...More
One day workshops, offering a friendly no-nonsense approach to teaching about wine, suitable for everyone from beginners to experts.
Courses take place at the following venues:
Atlas ... More
Bounded in by surrounding office buildings, Postman's Park's appeal lies in what it symbolises as much as how it looks. Located just north of St ... More
Built on the site of a Victorian meat cellar, Fabric continues to boast the most sensational line-ups in the capital. Its global reputation is founded ... More
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LondonTown.com has special discounts every week. The amount of discount will vary depending on the dates you are coming and how far in advance you book. All discounts are subject to availability.
For tenants of Smithfield Market getting up in the dark is the nothing
out of the ordinary; with the market opening at 4am these hard working
folk start work when London's clubbers are just going home. As one of
the oldest and most attractive markets in London Smithfield is a
must-see. Steeped in history, there's been a lively trade in livestock
on this ground since the 10th century when horses, swine and oxen were
sold in the 'smooth field' on Fridays. It's this smoothness which is
said to be where Smithfield gets its name. Today, meat, poultry,
cheese, pies, and other delicatessen goods are available for wholesale
here so the crowd it attracts largely consists of butchers,
restaurateurs and caterers. The central avenues allow customers to walk
through the market but to get a closer look they must dress up in clean
protective clothes. The market buildings which still stand and operate today
were designed by City Architect Sir Horace Jones in 1866. Rail was
taking off at that time and the East and West Buildings were built
above new lines connecting London to every other part of the country,
enabling meat to be delivered directly to the market. A recent £70
million refurbishment has created a thoroughly modern temperature
controlled environment inside a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian
building. A visit to the market is all about soaking up the atmosphere - and dropping into gastro pub 
