A rapidly changing area east of the City of London, Aldgate is now a gateway to the UK's dynamic business centre.
Aldgate is a small ward in London, neighbouring the City of London and the Borough of Tower Hamlets. Being between two major financial districts helps generate a commuter population here, as well as improve infrastructural and business facilities. Other surrounding London areas in the close vicinity include Finsbury, St Katherine’s & Wapping, Spitalfields, Whitechapel and Shadwell. These all contribute to the area known as the ‘East End of London’.
Accessing the rest of London is easily achievable thanks to the abundance of both underground and overground railway stations nearby. These include Aldgate, Aldgate East, Liverpool Street, Bank, Monument and Tower Hill (all underground), as well as London Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street and Moorgate (all overground). Guests who book stays in Aldgate serviced apartments can also benefit from the easy access to London City Airport (LCY). The airport is just under seven miles away to the east.
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS CLIMATE
The vision for Aldgate’s business climate has been consistent in recent times; to develop as a vibrant district by utilising its own diversity. At the heart of this vision is the Aldgate Partnership (TAP), formed in 2014. Consisting of a group of stakeholders, this partnership vows to represent the area’s business community. They are tasked with attracting and landing inward investment, encouraging local spending and supporting employment in the area. As an area which profits from being part of a developing tech-city quad, which includes London’s only enterprise zone (Royal Docks), it comes as no surprise that Aldgate is a development priority.
Furthermore, their work has been hugely influential in Aldgate’s move to join more than sixty other Business Improvement Districts (BID) already operating in London. Within this process, Aldgate will become home to several new public squares and open spaces, at least forty new places to eat and drink, and an ever-improving, vibrant commercial street and market. The future is evidently bright. Guests staying in Aldgate corporate housing can appreciate the ward’s ongoing development and proximity to central London.
HISTORY
Much of Aldgate’s history revolves around its High Street and the ancient gate, which the area was named after. Both are important aspects of London’s medieval history and exemplify Aldgate’s antiquity. The gate, built by the Romans as part of London’s great wall, and the High Street connected to create an important travelling route in and out of the city. This route actually stretched as far as Colchester in Essex. It thus proved to be a vital connection to places throughout London and beyond. The following centuries saw the reconstruction of both the High Street and ‘Old Gate’. This means, ultimately, not much of medieval Aldgate remains to this day. These improvements were only achievable too as the area narrowly avoided the devastation of the Great Fire of London.
However, the area’s status as being amongst the twenty-five wards that make up the City of London still stands. Being an ancient London ward has and continues to mean conforming to a one-of-a-kind form of local government. Previously, it avoided much of the political reforms taking effect across the rest of the country. Still a rare remnant of Aldgate’s past and very much worth visiting whilst in the area is the St. Botolph Church. Often recognised simply as ‘Aldgate Church’, the site dates back to 1115. Today, it still stands on the edge of Aldgate High Street after centuries of rebuilds and renovation. Guests staying at Aldgate extended stay apartments are able to factor in a trip to the historic site during their stay, as well as appreciate much more of what Aldgate has to offer.
ATTRACTIONS
Despite perhaps not being widely renowned as the ‘go-to’ place to visit in London, Aldgate may surprise a few. Even guests staying in Aldgate short term accommodation can appreciate what the local area has to offer. Firstly, guests could base themselves near Aldgate High Street. Brick Lane or the Spitalfields markets, all integral parts of the area’s society. At the bottom of the high street is perhaps the ward’s most significant historical landmark, the Aldgate Pump. The Grade II listed structure marks the start of the A11 Road and was often labelled as the symbolic start of London’s East End.
Visitors to Aldgate can also relive more of London’s rich and long history from the many museums dotted around nearby. Amongst the most popular is the Whitechapel Gallery opened in 1901. It was one of the first publicly funded galleries for London exhibitions. Whitechapel now showcases a range of twentieth century works and exhibitions of interest to the local people. Much like the Whitechapel Gallery, the Jack the Ripper Museum is also just down the road from Aldgate East underground station.
This museum is dedicated to the history of East London in the 1880s and gives visitors an intriguing insight into the crimes of the fabled criminal ‘Jack the Ripper’. A further museum alternative, contrasting the two previously mentioned, is the Bank of England Museum. Each of these museums offers an insightful experience. Better yet, they are within a short walk of SITU’s ideally located Aldgate aparthotels. These also join the likes of the nearby Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Great Fire of London monument, which contributes to the rich history linked with Aldgate and the surrounding London area.
In summary, visiting Aldgate grants access to an all-round experience one of Europe’s major capitals. Whether it is taking advantage of its commuting practicalities, the many historic London tourist attractions or the area’s existing plans to create a profitable BID, visitors can take comfort from the fact that stays in Aldgate corporate accommodation put guests within walking distance of each of these possibilities.
