Smithfield Square
Ireland
*End point is a Public Square
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Smithfield, a place where the visceral history of London is written in the very stones of the square. Originally known as 'Smooth Field,' this area has served as London's primary livestock and meat market since at…
Listen in the app2The Victorian Market Halls — Architecture of Order
The current appearance of Smithfield is defined by the grand Victorian buildings that house the London Central Meat Market. Completed in 1868, these structures were designed by Sir Horace Jones to replace the unsanitary and…
Listen in the app3The Bummarees — A Living Tradition
One of the most unique and enduring features of Smithfield is its human element, specifically the 'bummarees.' Historically, a bummaree was a self-employed meat porter who acted as a middleman between the wholesalers and the…
Listen in the app4The Execution Site — William Wallace and Martyrdom
Smithfield has a dark reputation as a site of public execution and religious martyrdom. Perhaps the most famous figure to meet his end here was the Scottish national hero, Sir William Wallace. …
Listen in the app5The Peasants' Revolt — Wat Tyler's Climax
In 1381, Smithfield was the stage for one of the most significant political upheavals in English history: the Peasants' Revolt. Led by Wat Tyler, a group of 'revolting' peasants arrived in London to demand social and economic…
Listen in the app6The Fox and Anchor — A Market Pub's Legacy
No exploration of Smithfield is complete without a visit to one of its historic 'market pubs,' such as the Fox and Anchor on Charterhouse Street. These establishments have a unique license that allows them to open early in the…
Listen in the app7St. Bartholomew the Great — The Priory's Shadow
Fringing the edge of Smithfield Square is the Priory Church of St. Bartholomew the Great, London's oldest continuously surviving parish church. …
Listen in the app8Closing
Our journey through Smithfield Square concludes amidst the grand Victorian halls where the pulse of London's oldest trade continues to beat. We have explored the architectural genius of Horace Jones, the living tradition of the…
Listen in the app
What is Smithfield Square?
Smithfield Square is a place in Ireland with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Ireland |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 51.5185, -0.1015 |
| Last updated |
