Aldgate station | London Aldgate guide

Aldgate Station first opened to the public on the 18th November in 1876 and it went on to play a famous role in the Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans in the His Last Bow anthology. The story revolved around stolen plans for a submarine and the climax of the tale involved Aldgate station.

Located on the Circle Line, this Zone 1 station is between Tower Hill and Liverpool Street and there are many bars and restaurants in the area which are not too far from popular Aldgate hotels. Aldgate is also the terminus for the Metropolitan Line and has just 4 platforms in use. Excellent hotels near Aldgate include the 4 star Chamberlain Hotel and the 3 star India Street Apartments. Historically interesting places are also plentiful in Aldgate and many of the hotels near Aldgate station are well over 100 years old.

The name Aldgate is derived from Ale-gate which meant 'open to all' and it is thought that this was because no tolls were charged to pass through. This welcoming attitude towards visitors is still present in Aldgate hotels today and the area is notable for its hospitality.

Known as the most easterly gateway to the city, a physical gate is thought to have stood at Aldgate as early as Roman times. The structure stood on the corner of Duke's Place and was described as an 'obstacle to traffic'. The heavily re-constructed gateway was removed in 1761.

Attractions near Aldgate Station

Two major attractions close to Aldgate station are Whitechapel Gallery and Brick Lane Market both of which are well placed for Aldgate hotels and close to the area's bars and restaurants.

The Whitechapel Gallery was founded in 1901. This internationally acclaimed gallery hosts regular events and most famously premiered the work of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Mark Rothko.

Brick Lane Market is popular due to its diversity and a multitude of unusual items can be found there including antique books and rare oddities; resultantly the market has a reputation amongst art photographers and collectors. Notably, the nearby Carpenter's Arms pub on Cheshire Street was once owned by the Kray twins.

Restaurants and Bars near Aldgate

For those who want an inexpensive bite to eat close to their Aldgate hotel, various chain pubs such as O'Neils and Slug and Lettuce offer standard British pub food. Japanese food fanatics should visit the Japanese Canteen on Minories, serving sushi and hot dishes to eat in or take away, while those looking for a fine dining experience might like to visit the Italian eatery Caravaggio which is in a grand, converted banking hall on Leadenhall Street. A number of other superb places to eat-out exist; a brief wander should unearth some real jewels.

The Pumphouse on Fenchurch Street offers a modern pub atmosphere with sky sports, pool tables and fruit machines. The Poet meanwhile serves homemade food and drinks and is a smaller, more intimate public house.