Smithfield Xmas Eve Auction

“You can almost guarantee getting a turkey,” (or three Turkeys!)

Every Christmas Eve in Smithfield market carnivores converge to get the chance to buy prime cuts of meat outside the premises of Harts the Butcher. It's a simple formula - just turn up with a combination of £10 and £20 notes and wait for the action to start.

Get there sometime before 10.00 am to take your place in the throng of several hundred would be buyers and try and get a place near the front. At the anointed hour several men in white overalls will appear wheel out a proliferation of meat from suckling pig to boxes of fillet steak and the fun starts.

A price will be quoted and then just stick up your hand proffering the correct amount which will be removed by your closet neighbour and handed to the seller. You will then be rewarded with your purchase which will be delivered to you 'hand-over-hand'. Be warned your package will gargantuan and you will need a taxi or lift home to get your bargain home. It's a great morning out and buyers have a choice of watering holes to retire to for ample refreshments when the time arrives.