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Fairs, fires and the future of Smithfield

Meat has been traded in Smithfield for centuries, but the market’s upcoming move east is simply another step in its long history of reinvention. Tom Bolton explores how this area, just north of the City of London, has been in a state of flux for at least 900 years.

Words by Dr Tom Bolton

  • In pictures

About the author

Dr Tom Bolton

Dr Tom Bolton is a researcher, and the author of five books, including ‘London’s Lost Rivers Volumes 1 & 2’, ‘Low Country: Brexit on the Essex Coast’ and ‘Vanished City: London’s Lost Neighbourhoods’. His work has been published in the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph and Londonist.