Open:

Saturday 10:00–17:00 + Sunday 10:00–17:00

Description:

In the Middle Ages this was a plain, grassy space just outside the City walls, known as Smooth Field, where fine horses were sold. A cattle market was established in 1638 and remained until 1855, when it was moved to Islington.

Smithfield was a place of public execution for over 400 years. Here heretics, rebels and criminals were burnt, beheaded or boiled. In 1305 Scottish hero William Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered after being dragged there behind a horse.

In 1381 Wat Tyler, leader of the Peasants' Revolt, gathered his army in Smithfield and was stabbed by the Mayor of London. The injured Tyler was taken to the hospital at St Bartholomew's Church, but dragged out again and beheaded.

The gallows were moved to Tyburn in the 15th century but Smithfield continued to be used for executing religious martyrs. This reached a peak when more than 200 Protestants were burnt at the stake during Queen Mary's reign in the 1550s.

Today the area is a peaceful, hidden corner of London - but one with a terrible past.

Entrance:

North of garden on West Smithfield facing market
Nearest postcode: EC1A 9BD

Buses:

56 + 8, 25, 45, 63, 242

Stations:

Farringdon, Barbican

Access:

Kerbs could be an issue.

Dogs:

Working assistance dogs only

Further information:

• Street Map
• Map of nearby gardens
• Garden's web site
• Printable version