About us
Our Story
The Cock Tavern, Smithfield Market started of life as a Public House in one of the corner towers of the Poultry Market. Serving the market traders their breakfasts as they finished their night shifts, The Cock Tavern was a safe haven for them to get a fry up with a refreshing pint at six in the morning. During Smithfield fire in 1958, The Cock was burned down to the ground along with the whole of the poultry market. After this tragedy it was rebuilt in a basement underneath the new poultry market, where once again it kept the traders well fed after a hard nights work. With one of our chefs working here for over 40 years, it’s not very surprising that we’ve kept their custom to this day. She has made every dish her own, with her Devilled Kidney’s being mentioned in cookbooks the world over and with our steaks being equally as famous, there really is no better place in London for Breakfast or Lunch.
We’ve played host to many celebrities. Championship boxers including Light – Heavyweight John Conteh and Heavyweight Danny McAlinden, members of the English rugby team including Jason Leonard have come to The Cock on many occasions to get their protein fix. We are the only place where distinguished painter Lucian Freud will have meetings, actors, members of the press association, members of the Aristocracy, members of the Royal family, musicians such as Liam Gallagher, even William Hague and other MP’s have ventured down for breakfast. During the football World Cup we received phone calls from Australian radio stations asking us to give live commentary during the England fixtures; we have featured on the BBC news and on British radio. We have also been used for filming in the London area, both appearing in films such as the highly acclaimed Gangster No. 1 and also as a base camp for film crews using the surrounding area.
The History of Smithfield
A smooth field where every Friday there is a celebrated rendezvous of fine horses to be sold, and in another quarter are placed vendibles of the peasant, swine with their deep flanks, and cows and oxen of immense bulk.
- William Fitzstephen 1174
Meat has been bought and sold at Smithfield for over 800 years, making it one of the oldest markets in London. Popular belief is that the name Smithfield came from a corruption of ‘smeth field’ Saxon for “Smoothfield”. As a large open space close to the City it was used for jousting and gatherings such as public executions. It’s where William Wallace was hung, drawn and quartered in 1305, during the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 this was their meeting place and is where Wat Tyler was killed on June 15, 1381. Around 50 Protestants were burned at the stake here in the reign of Mary I, earning her the nickname ‘Bloody Mary’. Originally huge herds of livestock were driven from all over the country and then slaughtered on site. During the 19th Century the livestock started to arrive by rail, although this no longer takes place and the former railway tunnels are now used for storage, parking and as basements. In 1852 the Smithfield Market Removal Act was passed and the live cattle market was relocated to a new site at Copenhagen Fields in Islington. In 1860 the City of London obtained an Act of Parliament, allowing the construction of new buildings on the Smithfield site. Work began in 1866 on the two main sections of the market, the East and West Buildings. This Act also authorised the development of the Poultry Market which opened in 1875. During World War II the market was hit by a V2 rocket, causing significant damage and killing many. Then on January the 23rd, 1958 there was a tragic fire which destroyed the whole of the Poultry Market. Station Officer Jack Fort-Wells and Firefighter Dick Stocking both lost their lives fighting the great fire. The fire lasted for three days, fuelled by walls made with flammable linings. This tragedy sparked the London Fire Brigade to replace the “Proto” Oxygen sets with compressed air breathing apparatus. The Poultry market was then replaced by the current building in 1962, this a Grade II listed building due to the fact that the roof is the largest unsupported dome in Europe, spanning 225 feet. Smithfield market has recently undergone a £70 million refurbishment to equip it for the future and enable it to comply with modern hygiene standards. The ancient meat market has been transformed into the most modern in Europe, possibly even the world. Approximately 120,000 tons of produce pass through the market each year. As well as meat and poultry, products such as cheese, pies and other delicatessen goods are available.
Local Sights
If you’re visiting London or even if you’re a resident, here are some places in the surrounding area that you should see at least once.
With so much history surrounding the market, this could take up a whole day’s sight seeing itself. It’s best to get here early in the morning if you want to see the market place in full swing.
One of London’s most visited sites, a magnificent Baroque church, beautiful both inside and out which has overlooked the City of London since 604CE
With free admission to the museum which documents the history of London from the Palaeolithic period to the present day, a definite must for Londoners and Tourist alike.
The Central Criminal Court in England located between Holborn and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great
Featuring in the films ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and ‘Shakespeare in Love’ due to its beautiful interior. The church and its surrounding grounds are full of history with many stories to tell.
The famous London hospital is one of Britain’s top teaching hospital trusts.
The Church of St Bartholomew the Less
A beautiful Anglican church located within the grounds of St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Here you will fine the remains of the former London Carthusian monastery, known as the House of the Salutation of the Mother of God.
The famous deconsecrated church which now used as a concert hall, is regarded, not only as one of the masterpieces of the English Baroque, but as one of London’s finest concert venues.
The London Symphony Orchestra is based in the concert hall of this amazing arts centre.
Christchurch Greyfriars Garden
This Garden covers the burial grounds on the site of the former nave of Christchurch Greyfriars.
