
Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.5/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour worth booking?
Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $83 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 3.5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $83 per person
Discover the intriguing history of Farringdon and the Smithfield Meat Market, a site steeped in stories from the past. This tour dives into 800 years of history, touching on the Black Death, executions of notorious figur
What you get
About this experience
Discover the intriguing history of Farringdon and the Smithfield Meat Market, a site steeped in stories from the past. This tour dives into 800 years of history, touching on the Black Death, executions of notorious figures like William Wallace, and the gritty realities of medieval London. Your journey will begin at Farringdon station and take you through historic streets, with stops at charming pubs that played vital roles in the community’s social life. Enjoy a quieter experience away from the hustle and bustle, where you can absorb the rich history and cultural significance of British pubs along the way. Explore the historic Smithfield Meat Market and its surroundings, Visit significant pubs that have shaped British history, Learn about medieval London’s fascinating tales and events, Enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for connecting with history.
What's included
Included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Carbonated beverages
What you'll see and do
Farringdon
Starts at Farringdon Station because its very accessible from all over London. The Guide will be waiting outside the station.
15 minutes here
The Castle Pub
Insight into Cowcross street and the pub
Pass by without stopping
Smithfield Market
The tour begins at Farringdon station which is easily accessible from whichever direction you're coming from. We will, of course, stop in a beautiful pub during the walk, and will end our tour in a pub which is both culturally significant as well as comfortable. A major benefit of this particular tour is that it's more quiet than many the bustling locations where it may feel too loud or overwhelming to properly connect with, or enjoy the subjects in being discussed. The significance of British pubs concerong our history is vital when discussing the past. Our Pubs served as courts, funeral parlers and of course, a place for people to meet what would become their families. Our Pubs were present through each historic epoch and were the bases and social spots of England's criminals and royals alike. I enjoy to leave people with a sense of nostalgia as well as historical information and hope you will take more away from the event than the average tour.
60 minutes here
The Cock Tavern
We pass by this and get some insight
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Our Guide will be outside waiting for you at the designated time.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Very close to Smithfield Market
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Wondering Englishman Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Anyone over the age of 18 years of age won’t have access to alcohol (British Law). Minor travelers will be served non-alcoholic drinks.
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Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Advertised as a...
Advertised as a 'Smithfield Meat Market' tour but it wasn't. We never went into the market, just stood outside and looked at photos of the market traders.
Response from the operator: Dear David, Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback on the Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour—I'm really sorry you felt let down by not being able to enter the market or see the traders in action, and I appreciate you sharing your perspective. To provide some important context for other potential guests: Our tour is explicitly focused on the rich history of the Smithfield area—its medieval origins, executions, plague history, market evolution, and surrounding landmarks/pubs—guided by Vincent through the streets with stories, photos, and historical insights to bring it all to life. It is not a live wholesale trading session inside the operating market. We make this very clear upfront. In your case, prior to the tour (via private message after booking), we directly explained that the meat market operates only in the very early hours (typically 2am–7am Mon–Fri) and would not be open or active at our 10 am start time, with the experience centered on the area's broader history rather than seeing butchers at work. We also offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance (as detailed on Viator), so guests can opt out if the timing or focus doesn't suit them. You had this information ahead of time and chose to join us, which we were happy about—Vincent was able to deliver the full historical walking tour as described. I'm sorry the experience still didn't meet your expectations, and your review helps highlight how we can communicate even more explicitly to avoid any misunderstanding in future. We value honest feedback like yours and are always working to improve. Thank you again for joining us and for your input—we wish you all the best in your future travels. Best regards, Alex
via Viator
No tour - just visited the fascinating market
We didn't take a tour, just went to the Smithfield Market and had a wonderful experience. Got there at a bit after midnight, when it opened, on a Monday morning and stayed until 2:30AM when it was starting to bustle (I unfortunately couldn't stay up any longer!). Especially during set up, the vendors were very opened to talking about the market trade and how things at the market worked. It was fascinating to watch highly skilled butchers at their craft. Monday was a slower day, and I hope to get back on a later visit either to see operations during the holidays or later in the week, for the full effect. It was a beehive of wee hour activity, showing the operations of a trade that is centuries old. Wonderful to see.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour cost?
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Prices start at $83 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Smithfield Meat Market and History Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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