From the Middle Ages until 2005, there was a cattle market in Bristol. Farmers from Wales and Ireland as well as from the local area brought their cattle, sheep and pigs to the market to sell to local butchers.

Elizabeth I granted the City the right to hold a cattle market in Thomas Street. Animals were brought here on foot until 1830, when the old market was closd and sales moved to a purpose-built site next to Temple Meads railway station. The new Cattle Market provided accommodation for 2,000 cattle, 7,000 sheep, 300 horses and 500 pigs. The last sales at the Thomas Street market were on 28 January 1830 and the first at Temple Meads were held a week later.

The Cattle Market closed in 2005. Since then, the nearest livestock market has been the one at Frome: in February 2011 the average price for steers was 137.68 pence per kilo People who lived near or visited the Temple Meads area vividly remember the animals and, especially, the smell on a Thursday market day.