Aldgate East is just a few steps away from The Square Mile; a London marvel where old meets new. But proximity to London’s original city centre isn’t the only benefit of living in Aldgate East. Whether suited and booted in the financial district of the City or letting loose in Shoreditch, the EC3 postcode effortlessly blends the best of east and central London.

Dine at stylish restaurants, discover one of London’s most historic areas and admire cutting-edge architecture. This East London neighbourhood offers a wealth of local delights to immerse yourself in and is a prime London postcode.

The Sterling

The Gherkin is one of London’s most iconic and modern buildings. It also happens to cook up a storm in the kitchen — at least it does at The Sterling, a stylish bar and restaurant set inside the distinctive building.

Choose from a variety of dishes on the breakfast, dinner and all-day menus. Or, if you’ve had a long day at work, relax with a couple of drinks in sleek surroundings. During the summer months, head to the terrace area in the traffic-free piazza.

Find at 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF

Phone no: 020 7929 3641

Follow @thesterlingbarlondon

Jack the Ripper Tour

There’s plenty of gory history to discover whilst living in Aldgate East, most of which centres around Jack the Ripper. London’s notorious serial killer still fascinates to this day, and you can learn all about his gruesome killings with an official tour.

Starting at Aldgate East Station, the tour takes you around the old, narrow alleyway of the area and transports you back in time. Today, Aldgate is one of London’s poshest postcodes. That wasn’t always the case, however.

Find at Aldgate East Tube Station, London, E1 7PU

Phone no: 020 8530 8443

Follow @RipperTours

Brick Lane

Markets, galleries and restaurants await you at Brick Lane, London’s number one cultural hotspot. It’s a favourite with artistic crowds, who browse the local galleries, admire street art and then hit up the world-class restaurants.

Brick Lane is a hub of London’s Bangladeshi community and is known for its Curry spots. When you’re not chowing down on top-not massala, head to The Old Truman Brewery at 91 Brick Lane houses. There’s plenty of up-and-coming designers to discover.

Find at Brick Lane, London, E1

Phone no: 0207 364 1717

Email: [email protected]

Follow @BrickLaneLDN

One New Change

If you’re living in Aldgate East and looking for some retail therapy, get yourself down to One New Change. The plush shopping centre sits right in the heart of the city and offers a fashion fix, as well as great views over the capital.

Browse hundreds of shops, including designer favourites like Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein, before stopping at one of the many restaurants. Round your day off with a visit to Madison, a chic bar with spectacular views of the London skyline.

Find at 1 New Change, London EC4M 9AF

Phone no: 020 7002 8900

Email: [email protected]

Follow @onenewchange

Duck & Waffle

The restaurant with a view. Duck and Waffle offers a sweeping panorama of the London skyline and is worth a visit for the Instagrammable pic alone. It just so happens that the food is top-notch too. Who knew there were so many ways to enjoy duck and waffle together?

Be prepared to wait for your visit, though. Demand is so high for Duck & Waffle that the waiting list is usually around three months long. Still, it’s worth it for the delicious food and amazing views of the capital.

Find at 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

Phone no: 020 3640 7310

Email: [email protected]

Follow @duckandwaffle

Old Spitalfields Market

Sometimes wandering around Old Spitalfields Market can feel like you’re discovering a miniature city of creativity. 67 shops and stalls, 40 places to drink and eat and 89 events throughout the year are waiting to be discovered.

From legendary traders to exciting new brands, unearth unique grand antiques and the latest fashion trends. Old Spitalfields Market is one of the capital’s most famous markets, and living in Aldgate East means it’s right on your doorstep.

Find at 16 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London E1 6EW

Phone no: 020 7375 2963

Follow @oldspitalfieldsmarket

The Hoop and Grapes

If you’re looking for a local watering hole, The Hoops and Grapes should be under serious consideration. This timber-framed pub is a favourite with residents living in Aldgate East thanks to its large selection of ales and pub grub.

As well as great ales, there’s plenty of history to uncover at The Hoop and Grapes. It was one of the few timber-framed buildings not affected by the Great Fire of London in 1666. Its original name was Hops and Grapes, which let people know that it sold wine.

Find at 47 Aldgate High St, London EC3N 1AL

Phone no: 020 7481 4583

Follow @nicholsonspubs

Guildhall Art Gallery

Less than two miles away from Aldgate East is where you will find Guildhall Art Gallery and its 250 artworks. Embrace your culture vulture while you browse collections of paintings, drawings, sculptures and temporary exhibitions.

Permanent exhibits include works from the Victorian era and Pictures of London, which is an ode to the city’s history. Popular exhibitions include The Enchanted Interior, which is an exploration of the recurring motif of female subjects in art.

Find at Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE

Phone no: 020 7332 3700

Follow @cityoflondon

Living in Aldgate East

If you’re looking for a prime London postcode, living in Aldgate East is for you. Its excellent travel links and central location means you’re always just a few steps from the action, whether you’re seeking entertainment or culture. Living in Aldgate East puts you right in the heart of all that London has to offer.

Mark Flint

Author

Mark is a regular contributor to the Essential Living blog and shares all the latest news and sourcing the very best content for our customers.