Brixham Fish Market – The Beating Heart of Britain’s Seafood Industry

⏱️ 4–5 minute read

The Auction at Brixham Fish Market is at the heart of the UK’s seafood industry, and it’s where much of the country’s finest fresh fish begins its journey from sea to plate. Known for landing some of the highest-value catches in England, the auction supplies restaurants, fishmongers, and wholesalers across the UK — and Hamiltons Fish is proud to buy directly from it every day.

Early Starts and Expert Buying

Taking place Monday to Friday, the auction starts bright and early at 6am. In recent years, it has moved from a traditional shout-and-bid format to a modern online system. This means fish merchants like us can bid instantly from the market floor or remotely. At Hamiltons Fish, Ben usually handles the buying online from our office, while Kevin is down on the fish auction floor in person each morning, inspecting the catch before the sale to ensure we secure only the very best quality.

We believe that being there in person makes a difference. It allows us to check the freshness, size, and overall quality of each fish before we bid — something that’s impossible to judge from a screen alone. Being on the market floor allows us to choose the very best, so our customers can always enjoy seafood of exceptional quality.

A Market with Centuries of Heritage

Brixham’s fishing roots stretch back over 600 years, with the town often credited as one of the birthplaces of trawling. By the 19th century, Brixham was home to a vast fleet of 270 sail-powered trawlers and around 1,600 seamen — making it the largest fishery in England at the time. Today, that same spirit and dedication to quality lives on in the bustling fish market, where a blend of tradition and modern technology keeps Brixham at the forefront of the UK’s seafood industry.

How the Dutch-Style Auction Works

Brixham Fish Market operates using a Dutch-style auction, a fast-paced selling method where the price starts high and decreases until a buyer makes a bid. This reverse-bidding system keeps the auction moving efficiently and ensures the fish is sold quickly, maintaining peak freshness.

Because we’re often on the market floor in person, we can assess the quality before the bidding begins and act at the perfect moment to secure the finest fish at a fair price. This combination of expert knowledge and timing helps us bring our customers seafood of exceptional quality.

How the Auction Works in Practice

Before the first bid is placed, every box of fish is carefully graded by size, weight, and quality. Labels record the catch area, the vessel’s name, and its grading score, giving buyers all the details they need before the auction starts. While much of the catch is landed in Brixham itself, the market also supports small-boat fishermen from across the South and South West. A refrigerated haulage service collects their fish from nearby harbours and brings it back to Brixham, ensuring they get a fair price and that the auction has an even wider variety of species for buyers to choose from.

From Market to Your Plate

Once we’ve secured our selection at the auction, the fish is transported straight to our premises. Here, it’s expertly prepared to order — filleted, portioned, or left whole depending on your preference — and packed for delivery. Because we buy daily based on confirmed customer orders, nothing sits in storage waiting to be sold. This means your fish is as fresh as it can possibly be when it arrives.

Why Brixham?

Brixham Fish Market is one of the busiest in the UK, landing a huge variety of species including Dover sole, turbot, monkfish, hake, plaice, scallops, and many more. Its location on the South Devon coast means the fleet has access to some of the richest fishing grounds in the English Channel, resulting in outstanding quality and variety all year round.

Our Promise

When you order from Hamiltons Fish, you’re not just getting fish — you’re getting the benefit of decades of experience, hands-on selection, and a direct connection to one of the most important seafood markets in the country. Browse our full range and experience the difference that comes from buying fresh, expertly sourced fish from Brixham Fish Market.