London area of Smithfield guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Smithfield neighbourhood

Known best for its centuries-old meat market, Smithfield is an area of London drenched in history. In medieval times Smithfield was both the Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium of its day, its grassy meadows used for public gatherings, sporting occasions such as jousting tournaments, fairs and even executions (William 'Mel Gibson' Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered here in 1305). A short walk from St Paul's, the Grade II listed Victorian covered market still provides central London's butchers, shops and restaurants with meat on a daily basis, opening from 4am till 12noon. Nowadays, Smithfields is an edgy nightlife destination with bars, clubs and restaurants such as Smiths, Fabric and St John all exceedingly popular. Until 2002 the area hosted the annual midnight Miglia Quadrato car rally and since 2007 there has been an annual bike race known as the Smithfield Nocturne.

See our recommended nearby Smithfield Hotels, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Smithfield Hotels

in or near Smithfield
Rosewood London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
252 High Holborn, WC1V
Located in High Holborn, Rosewood London is the most luxurious hotel in the area and is nearby to the capital's main business district and a number ... More
 
 
 
Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
1 Kings Cross Road, WC1X
Halfway between the City and the west End, the Bloomsbury area is an oasis of calm in the very heart of the capital. It's a lovely ... More
 
 
 
The Montague on the Gardens
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
15 Montague Street, WC1B
Overlooking the gardens of Montague Garden Square, this sedate hotel has a peaceful feel even though the British Museum is right next door and Covent Garden's ... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Entertainment

in or near Smithfield
Craft Central
London > Entertainment > 33-35 St John's Square, Smithfield, London EC1M
Promoting original craft and design is the purpose of this not-for-profit organisation established over the last 25 years. Craft Central have a number of workspaces, workshops ... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near Smithfield
PICK
St Bartholomew the Great
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
West Smithfield, Smithfield, London EC1A
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 octagonal ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Museum of London
London > Attractions > Museums
150 London Wall, Smithfield, London EC2Y
Experience the real flavour of London life from the prehistoric to present day when you visit the Museum of London, a modern ... More
 
 
 
Slaughterhouse Gallery
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
63 Charterhouse Street, Smithfield, London EC1M
... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's Smithfield
PICK
Smithfield Market
London > Shopping > Markets
West Smithfield, Smithfield, London EC1A
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 ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Farm Collective
London > Shopping > Food and Drink Shops
91 Cowcross Street, Smithfield, London EC1M
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 outlet ... More
 
 
 
Knoll International
London > Shopping > House and Garden
1 Lindsey Street, Smithfield, London EC1A
Furniture & Home accessories... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near Smithfield London?
PICK
Carluccio's
London > Restaurants > Italian restaurants
12 West Smithfield, Smithfield, London EC1A
Carluccio's are springing up all over the place, from Bluewater to Brent Cross, spreading the gospel of good fresh superior Italian food. Each restaurant is also ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Club Gascon
London > Restaurants > French restaurants
57 West Smithfield, Smithfield, London EC1A
If Jamie Oliver thinks that turkey twizzlers and chips are the most unhealthy food in Britain, then he obviously hasn't been to this extraordinary Michelin-starred restaurant ... More
 
 
 
PICK
S&M Cafe
London > Restaurants > British restaurants
50 Long Lane, Smithfield, London EC1A
If you know what you want from a meal and what you want is good old, British sausages and mash then look no further than this ... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Pubs

The best pubs in or near London Smithfield.
PICK
The Old Red Cow
London > Nightlife > Pubs
71 Long Lane, Smithfield, London EC1A
One of the oldest pubs in Smithfield, The Old Red Cow has stood on this spot on Long Lane since the year dot. Steeped in history, ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Fox & Anchor
London > Nightlife > Pubs
115 Charterhouse Street, Smithfield, London EC1M
This renovated traditional pub in the heart of Clerkenwell has been serving the traders of nearby Smithfields Market for years. Under the Malmaison umbrella - the ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Jerusalem Tavern
London > Nightlife > Pubs
55 Britton Street, Smithfield, London EC1M
It’s teeny-tiny and, no, there aren’t enough seats, but the Jerusalem Tavern still provides a cosy nook to devour a rare breed of delicious ales. London’s ... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Nightlife

Smithfield clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
PICK
Vinoteca
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
7 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Smithfield, London EC1M
Wine bars in the UK were given a bad name in the 1980s but places like this show us how it should be done. Both the ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Fabric Nightclub
London > Nightlife > Nightclubs
77a Charterhouse Street, Smithfield, London EC1M
Built on the site of a Victorian meat cellar, Fabric continues to boast the most sensational line-ups in the capital. Its global ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Longroom
London > Nightlife > Bars
18-20 St. John Street, Smithfield, London EC1M
Situated in the heart of Clerkenwell, next door to St John and Smithfield Market, The Longroom specialises in craft beers, salt beef and gourmet sandwiches. Described ... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Leisure

Smithfield gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
PICK
Urban Golf
London > Leisure > Golf
12 Smithfield Street, Smithfield, London EC1A
OK, so you may not be able to soak up the rays on this indoor course but it’s a brilliant idea that has been stylishly executed. ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Postman's Park
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
King Edward Street, Smithfield, London EC4M
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 Paul's ... More
 
 
 
Malmaison London
London > Leisure > 18-21 Charterhouse Square, Smithfield, London EC1M
... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Education

in or near Smithfield
Museum of London Access & Learning
London > Education > Evening Classes
London Wall, Smithfield, London EC2Y
Courses in history, archaeology and creative writing... More
 
 
 
Rainbow Language in Business
London > Education > Language Courses
Gate House, St John's Square, Smithfield, London EC1M
... More
 
 
 

Smithfield Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near Smithfield.
PICK
Haberdashers' Hall
London > Business > Venue Hire
18 West Smithfield, Smithfield, London EC1A
Opened by the Queen in 2002 and designed by Sir Michael Hopkins and Partners Haberdashers' Hall was the first new livery hall in the Square Mile ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Rookery
London > Business > Venue Hire
Peter's Lane, Cowcross Street, Smithfield, London EC1M
... More
 
 
 
PICK
Butchers' Hall
London > Business > Venue Hire
87 Bartholomew Close, Barbican, Smithfield, London EC1A
... More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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