London wholesale fish market
Billingsgate Fish Market
Starting with the largest inland fish market in the UK, and arguably the most famous. It sells on average 25,000 tonnes of fish and seafood every year. Billingsgate wholesale fish market is renowned for the diverse range of fish and seafood available, especially the shellfish and exotic species you might not find elsewhere. Nearly every fishing port in the UK supplies fish to Billingsgate, with almost 40% (by tonnage) of the fish sold at the market coming from overseas.
FAQs:
Can members of the public buy at Billingsgate Fish Market?
Yes, you can buy fish as an individual at Billingsgate Fish Market. The market is set up for the wholesale fish market, so you might have to buy in quantities larger than you’d want for a small family. For example, the salmons are usually sold by the side or as a whole fish, rather than a fillet size you might find in a supermarket.
What time should I go to Billingsgate Fish Market?
The market opens at 4am until 8:30am, and is closed on Sunday and Monday. There are often large queues before 5am, and you run the risk of certain types of fish selling out if you are too late.
Where to find Billingsgate Fish Market: Trafalgar Way, London, E14 5ST
Brighton Fish Market
Whilst it is smaller than Billingsgate, Brighton Fish Market is still an excellent wholesale market to find the freshest fish caught in the English Channel. Many restaurants in the local area serve fish caught daily. Over 90% of the fishing boats that serve Brighton Fish Market are classed as “day-boats”, these are small boats that land the fish to market the same day they are caught, ensuring maximum freshness and quality.
Where to find Brighton Fish Market: Brighton Marina, West Quay, Brighton, BN2 5UP
Brixham Fish Market
Brixham Fish Market is one of the most popular within the UK fishing industry. It currently holds the record for England’s largest fish market by value of fish sold, standing at over £60,000,000 in 2022 alone. As well as the broad selection of fish available at the market, it is also one of only options to offer an online auction. Brixham excels in sustainability. The fishing industry in Brixham dates back to the 14th century and is credited with being the birthplace of trawling. By the 19th century, it was widely recognised as the largest fishery in England with over 1600 employed in the trade.
Where to find Brixham Fish Market: New Fish Quay, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8AW
Newlyn Fish Market
Moving further towards the South West, Newlyn Fish Market is located in Cornwall’s largest fishing port. It is renowned across the country for its fresh, sustainable catches caught daily in the surrounding waters. Over 600 fishing boats land over 40 different types of fresh fish every day, including hake, turbot, mackerel and cuttlefish.
FAQs
How does Newlyn Fish Market work?
The Newlyn Fish Market opens at 4am. Graders and sorters will sort through the day’s catch, sorting it into size and species ready to be auctioned. Buyers will arrive soon after to begin bidding on the fish.
Where to find Newlyn Fish Market: New Road, Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 5JT
North Shields Fish Quay
North Shields is one of the UK’s oldest wholesale fish markets dating back to 1225. To this day it provides a vital hub for the fishing industry in the north west. Specialties include haddock, crab and langoustines. In 2015, there was a total of 1476 tonnes of fish and shellfish landed at North Shields, with a value of over £5m.
Where to find North Shields Fish Quay: Clifford’s Fort, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE30 1JE
Fleetwood Fish Market
Over to the North West of England is Fleetwood Fish Market, a historic market that is known for cod, plaice and shellfish from sustainable sources.
Where to find Fleetwood FIsh Market: Dock Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6HP
Scottish Wholesale Fish Markets
Peterhead Fish Market
Across the border into Scotland is Europe’s largest whitefish market, Peterhead. This Scottish wholesale fish market offers a modern auction facility with buyers across the world bidding on the daily catches. You can view online the daily fish market landings, showing the total boxes of fish available that day, including Cod, Monks, Haddock and Whiting. Fish landings at Peterhead crossed £200 million for the first time in 2017.
Where to find Peterhead Fish Market: Greenhill Road, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, AB42 1EA
When does Peterhead Fish Market open?
Commerce starts at 7am daily, from Monday to Friday at Peterhead Fish Market.
What is the busiest fishing port in the UK?
Peterhead is the busiest fishing port in the UK, with 34% of all fishing boat landings in the UK into Peterhead in 2019.
Fraserburgh Fish Market
Also in Aberdeen is the Fraserburgh Fish Market, known for the high quality of whitefish and shellfish, served in local, national and international restaurants.
Where to find Fraserburgh Fish Market: Shore Street, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB43 9BR
Welsh Wholesale Fish Market
Milford Haven Fish Docks
Wales’ most notable wholesale fish market is in Pembrokeshire. Milford Haven is Wales’ largest fishing port, focusing on sustainable seafood and fishing methods.
Where to find Milford Haven Fish Docks: Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 3AF
How deep is Milford Haven Fish Docks?
Milford Haven is approximately 26 metres deep, making it one of the deepest harbours in the UK.
North Irish Wholesale Fish Markets
Portavogie Harbour
The Irish Sea serves up a fantastic array of fresh fish. Find it all at the Portavogie Harbour market, including prawns and hake.
Where to find Portavogie Harbour: Harbour Road, Portavogie, County Down, BT22 1EA
Kilkeel Harbour
Kilkeel Harbour is Northern Ireland’s largest fishing port. The high-quality seafood, with a speciality for langoustines, scallops and haddock, is available for wholesale purchase internationally.
Where to find Kilkeel Harbour: Harbour Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4AX
We’ve run through the UK’s best selection of wholesale fish markets. If you want to experience the best in fresh fish that the UK has to offer for your restaurant, pub or hotel, we’ve partnered with MCB Seafood. Register an account with them to receive next day delivery for fish if you order before 1pm!