Advertising feature: Smithfield Meat Market

This iconic meat market has its origins in the Middle Ages and is today still located on its original site in the City of London, close to Farringdon and Barbican Tube stations.

The site was in use from at least the 12th Century for the sale of livestock, with the City of London being granted market rights under a charter of Edward III in 1327.

The current buildings date to 1868 and were substantially refurbished in the 1990s to comply with EU hygiene regulations.

Smithfield is the largest wholesale public meat and poultry market in the UK and Europe, and mainly serves London and the home counties, with supplies coming in from all over world for restaurants, hotels, catering companies, schools, butchers and individuals.

Smithfield is particularly atmospheric at Christmas, when many of the stalls are decorated and Christmas trees are put up at the entrances.

The market is open on weekday mornings, excluding bank holidays, from midnight until 7am, and is open to both trade customers and the public.

Contact information: www.smithfieldmarket.com; info@smithfieldmarket; 020 7248 3151

Pictured top: Smithfield Meat Market (Picture: Pictures: SMTA)