The history of Smithfield through its iconic pubs: the markets, the monsateries, executions, Barts Fair and the new London Museum.

There is so much history flowing through Smithfield: the markets and monasteries, a great London hospital, the grim site of executions, an infamous London fare and a revolutionary railway. And the prestigious new London Museum is now openng here, rising out of the delapidated western courts of the market.

Richard plots a walk from Farringdon underground station around the site using its pubs to tell the story of the area. We take in great gin-palace of pub buildings and other diverse architecture; convey the tumultuous nature of the livestock market; the culture of the meat market, its workers and “early houses”; and the raucous Barts Fair with its performing pigs and conjurors.

It includes the great builder of the meat market, Horace Jones, Dickens, William Wallace, John Betjemen and not forgetting William Harris, the Sausage King! The walk includes a pub interval stop.