Aldgate Old Roman Gate Site — Place photograph (1 of 3)

Aldgate Old Roman Gate Site — Place photograph (2 of 3)

88–87 Aldgate, London EC3A 5DE

Aldgate Old Roman Gate Site

Roman

Place photograph

2.1

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

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Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

Urban historicHistoric townSoloCouplesHistory loversWalkers

Why it's Wildland

2.1

Aldgate’s Roman gateway once marked the eastern road out of the City towards Colchester. The gate itself is gone, but its site is a small prompt to imagine the many layers of London’s old boundary—and the people who passed through it.

A modest urban history stop rather than a surviving monument: Aldgate earns its place for the layers of Roman, medieval and later city history tied to one street corner, and for the vivid story of Geoffrey Chaucer living above the gate.

Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling

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88–87 Aldgate, London EC3A 5DE

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The experience

A brief, self-guided look at the former Aldgate gateway site. Read the available historical plaque if it is accessible, then picture the Roman road east and the later gate that stood here for centuries. The gate itself was demolished in 1760–61.

Things to do

Picture the road east from Roman London

Use the site as a starting point to imagine the Roman gateway and the road leading east towards Colchester, described as a major Roman route.

5–10 minutes

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 15–30 minutes

Aldgate’s lost gateway

01
Find the former gate site at Aldgate using the supplied map location.
02
If accessible, read the City of London plaque marking the site.
03
Imagine the Roman road east towards Colchester and the later gate that stood here until its demolition in 1760–61.

Verified history

Aldgate was a gateway on the eastern side of the City, on the route towards Colchester. The supplied historical accounts describe a Roman gate followed by medieval rebuilding and later substantial alterations. Geoffrey Chaucer rented rooms above the gate from 1374 while working as a customs official. The gateway was demolished in 1760–61 as London’s expanding streets and traffic needs reshaped the City. A plaque is reported to mark the former site; no Roman gate structure is described as surviving here.

Hidden details

Chaucer’s rooms above the gate — Look beyond the Roman label: Geoffrey Chaucer rented rooms above the medieval gate from 1374 while serving as a customs official. The rooms are not presented as surviving visitor-accessible remains.

A name with several possible origins — The origin of “Aldgate” is disputed. Suggested explanations include forms meaning East Gate, Ale Gate, public gate or old gate; none is established as certain in the supplied account.

When to go

· Daylight; no seasonal or time-specific advantage is evidenced.

The interest is historical and urban, with no sourced seasonal feature.

The visit is outdoors in a city-street setting. Check the forecast and current access conditions before setting out.

Worth pairing with

London Roman and medieval wall walk

A broader self-guided route links Aldgate with surviving sections and other sites associated with London’s Roman and medieval defences. Route length and current access should be checked against the walk source before setting out.

What to look for

01
Look for the City of London plaque marking the former gate site, described in the research as a small surviving clue to the lost gateway. The research also notes a plaque about archaeological work at the site
02
its current visibility and access are unverified.

The story

Archaeology, Literature

Best time to go

Any season; this is an urban heritage stop, not a seasonal nature destination.

Visit in daylight so the street setting and any accessible plaque are easier to make out. Check conditions and access before travelling specifically to see the site.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour

Perfect for

Solo · Couples · History lovers · Walkers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

88-87 Aldgate, London EC3A 5DE

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

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Google rating

4.3 · 3 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The former gate stood at Aldgate, but the supplied research does not confirm a designated visitor site or viewing arrangements. Check before visiting; do not assume access to nearby buildings or restricted areas. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

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Parking

Parking information not established. Check before visiting; the supplied map pin is not a parking or entrance pin.

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Toilets

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Food & drink

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Dogs

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Accessibility

The location is on an urban street, but step-free access, pavement conditions and any viewing arrangements have not been verified. Check before visiting.

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Cost

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