The Smithfield Market buildings lit up at dusk on West Smithfield in the City of London

Photo: Mike Quinn

Smithfield Poultry Market

wholesale markethistoric buildingCity of London

West Smithfield · EC1A 9PS · Closed to public (building under redevelopment)

Smithfield Poultry Market is the striking 1960s building at the western edge of London's historic Smithfield meat market in the City of London. Built between 1961 and 1963 by architects T P Bennett and Son with engineers Ove Arup and Partners, it replaced a Victorian poultry hall destroyed by fire in 1958. Its vast elliptical concrete-shell dome, only a few inches thick yet spanning more than 200 feet, has been called the largest clear-spanning dome roof in Europe. It is a Grade II listed building. As of 2026 the Poultry Market is no longer trading and is being redeveloped as part of the new London Museum, which is taking over the disused Smithfield market buildings next to the still-working wholesale meat market.

Opening times

The Poultry Market building itself is no longer operating as a trading market and is closed to the public while it is converted into the new London Museum. The neighbouring Smithfield wholesale meat market still trades through the night, roughly from midnight until around 09:00 on weekday mornings, with the busiest action before dawn. There is no public stall trading inside the Poultry Market, so for live atmosphere you visit the meat market alongside it rather than this hall.

What's on the stalls

Smithfield is a wholesale market, so the trade here is bulk meat and poultry sold to butchers, restaurants and caterers rather than retail shopping for casual visitors. Historically the Poultry Market handled poultry and game, while the adjacent halls dealt in beef, lamb, pork and offal. With the Poultry Market now closed, the surviving trade continues in the East and West market buildings beside it.

Around the market / getting there

The market sits at West Smithfield in the City of London, between Farringdon and Barbican stations, both a short walk away. The area blends medieval streets, the church of St Bartholomew the Great and the green of West Smithfield with the city offices around it. Pair a look at the building with a wander through Farringdon's cafes and pubs, or time a visit for when the new London Museum opens in the converted market halls.

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Common questions

What are Smithfield Poultry Market opening times?
The Poultry Market building is currently closed to the public while it is redeveloped into the new London Museum. The neighbouring Smithfield wholesale meat market still trades overnight on weekdays, roughly from midnight to around 09:00.
Is Smithfield Poultry Market free?
Yes, there is no entry charge to the wider Smithfield market area; it is a wholesale trade market, so you only pay for goods if you buy from traders. The Poultry Market hall itself is not currently open to visitors.
What is the best time to visit Smithfield Poultry Market?
For market atmosphere, early weekday mornings before dawn are when the surviving Smithfield meat market is busiest. The Poultry Market building is closed during its conversion, so the best future visit will be once the new London Museum opens there.
Where is Smithfield Poultry Market?
It is at West Smithfield, EC1A 9PS, in the Smithfield area of the City of London, a short walk from Farringdon and Barbican stations.

Other markets nearby