Smithfield market in London
Aug 24th, 2011, 08:33 AM
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Smithfield market in London
We plan on visiting the Smithfield meat market in London. I have read in tour books that it is an "early morning" market.
Does anyone know what time the market "winds down"?. Do I need to get there by 8am or sooner - or is 9am OK. Can I purchase meat for my own dinner, or is it strictly a wholesale market? Also, are any days of the weeks better than others?? Is Monday morning OK?
Stu Dudley
Does anyone know what time the market "winds down"?. Do I need to get there by 8am or sooner - or is 9am OK. Can I purchase meat for my own dinner, or is it strictly a wholesale market? Also, are any days of the weeks better than others?? Is Monday morning OK?
Stu Dudley
Aug 24th, 2011, 08:51 AM
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It's pretty well all over by 9. I'd say 7 at the absolute latest (this is about atmosphere: there's no "must see"). You might find a formal tour useful (http://www.cityoflondontouristguides.com)
Anyone can buy, but for most traders selling a single steak or two just isn't practical (animal carcases and boxes of prebutchered cuts are the standard items traded), though a few are geared to selling dinner party quantities. Some game suppliers will sell birds by the brace (and I THINK individual rabbits and hares, though you'll probably have to dress the game yourself). There are a couple of retail-quantity shops outside the market hall, and these things are never fixed in stone.
The "must do" of course is a proper pub breakfast. Most stay open till midmorning.
Anyone can buy, but for most traders selling a single steak or two just isn't practical (animal carcases and boxes of prebutchered cuts are the standard items traded), though a few are geared to selling dinner party quantities. Some game suppliers will sell birds by the brace (and I THINK individual rabbits and hares, though you'll probably have to dress the game yourself). There are a couple of retail-quantity shops outside the market hall, and these things are never fixed in stone.
The "must do" of course is a proper pub breakfast. Most stay open till midmorning.
Aug 24th, 2011, 10:05 AM
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Here is some visitor info: http://www.smithfieldmarket.com/cont...or_information
They recommend getting there for 7am.
You can also go on a tour: http://www.cityoflondontouristguides.com/index.php
They recommend getting there for 7am.
You can also go on a tour: http://www.cityoflondontouristguides.com/index.php
Aug 24th, 2011, 10:46 AM
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be prrepared to hold you nose when visiting this market! I have gone by late in morning and yes all you see is the mopping up - yes some grungy traditional British pubs and greasy spoon cafes ringing the behemoth market buildings.
This ain't no Covent Garden!
This ain't no Covent Garden!
Aug 24th, 2011, 02:16 PM
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A. Bourdain filmed a segment of No Reservations (I think it was that series) at Smithfield, he ate at one of the trad pubs, major meat fest as expected. Smith's of Smithfield is open regular lunch and dinner hours, not great but all right.
