Gateway to the first capital city of England, Colchester, the ‘old gate’ has seen more than its fair share of British history. It’s the route taken by the Barons (laying seize to the Tower before Magna Carta was agreed in 1215), home to Geoffrey Chaucer for ten years from 1374 and the gate through which Queen Mary I first passed – before her younger sister Queen Elizabeth I was greeted here five years later. The gate itself was demolished in the 1760s, being seen as an obstruction to trade and transportation.
Cafe in-front of St Botolph without AldgateAldgate was one of the six original Roman gates built into London WallThe Church of St Botolph without Aldgate – known as the prostitutes church in Victorian times owing to their perambulation around the church, thereby avoiding the charge of solicitation. The Hoop and Grapes is a very old pub – claiming to be the oldest licenced premises in London. It is a rare timber building, now leaning towards the east, that survived the Great Fire – and consequently is Grade II listed. Timber beams, sash windows, sloping floors and low ceilings create the most authentic Tudor pub experience in London. Originally named the Hops and Grapes to advertise availability of beer and wines, today a wide range of food and drink is available.Aldgate Pump – today, an 1870 pump replaces the original that was found to be suppling contaminated water.Aldgate School, formerly Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School before the founder was found to be closely associated with the Slave Trade.
