I’m currently in the process of looking for a new flat in
London. I don’t think I’m particularly picky however all I’m asking for
is a minimalist flat with a balcony, a mirrored wardrobe, in a new development,
less than 2 minutes’ walk from a tube station and with a hot tub…okay the hot
tub requirement can wait until my next flat search. My flat search recently
took me to the area of Aldgate.
I’m not sure if it was fate surrounding the Aldgate area, but
after my property search I somehow ended up back in the area as part of a
bloggers event hosted by the lovely Lee Anne of 'Wots her name again' – Julia of 'Fresh beauty fix' and Elsie of 'Elise kirsten speaks' also attended. Going to this event gave me a great chance to visit the Aldgate area again to see the
atmosphere, what it was like in terms of things to do and whether I could see myself
living there or not. And then I thought, surely I can’t be the only one wanting
to know what are the best things to do in an area – so why nog create
a blog post, hence ‘Your guide to Aldgate, London’
In terms of hotels, Dorsett City is a hotel that I highly
recommend and would visit again myself. It’s also worth popping to the Jin Bow
Law bar on your visit.
Sky scraper sightseeing
If you’re new to the area or just visiting, I would recommended
taking at least one trip to one of the many large sky scrapers within the
Aldgate area. The Gherkin would be the obvious choice. Totalling 500,000 square
foot, this extravagant building has quickly become a symbol of London since its
construction in 2004.
Aim Escape
We were lucky enough to be invited
down to visit the Aim Escape rooms. Aim Escape opened earlier this year and is one
of the most advanced escape room experiences. For those that haven’t been to an
escape room, it is physical adventure game where you use a series of puzzles,
clues and hints to escape a room.
Aim Escape is a modern escape room with 4 rooms - Psychopath's Den (the one we did and I can confirm it isn’t as scary as it sounds), Patient Zero 2150 which I’m told is technology based, Hangover Déjà Brew - an over 18 experience based on the film The Hangover and Spy Heroes’, a room perfect for the whole family as it's catered for kids aged upwards of 6 years old.
What’s great about this experience is that it’s fun with warm and friendly staff that go the extra mile to ensure you
leave having had a good time. I’ve done two escape rooms before (miserably
failing both times). However Aim Escape was different in the sense that it was
intellectually challenging yet came to life with the sound, visuals, design and
smells within the room. A visit to AIM Escape will not disappoint. Prices start from £30.
Swingers
Another fun to do is Swingers mini golf experience. I went
to the Aldgate branch of Swingers in April and it was SO fun (coming from a competitive
person that can barely hold a golf club, that says a lot). Swingers is amazing,
I need to plan another trip there soon. The Swingers City venue is a short walk
from Aldgate East station and is based on a 1920's golf-club set in the English
countryside. Your typical night out, right? With two bespoke nine hole crazy
golf courses, five cocktail bars, three of London's best street-food vendors (including
the best place ever...Patty & Bun!!!!), a two-story clubhouse with gin
terrace and DJ nights, it’s certainly somewhere to go with a group of friends
or on a date.
Clerkenwell grind
One of my favourite places to eat is at the grind chain. The Clerkenwell grind is a short walk from Barbican tube station and dare I say it, has one of the best brunches known to man. They also serve a bottomless Prosecco brunch – need I say more?
B.Y.O.C East
As the name suggests you bring your own alcohol, pay an
entry fee of £30 per person and let the expert bartenders and mixologists prepare
you a minimum of 5 drinks within 2 hours. I’ve never been to a bring your own alcohol bar, probably because I've found it quite hard to justify the cost of paying entry
AND paying at least £20 for a bottle of spirit, as the bar recommends. But if I
do the math (the accountant in me is coming through), the average cocktail in London
is around £15 – when I’m out with my friends, one person will usually buy the first
round and then another will buy the next round and so on. If I look at my bank
statement, I recently spent £55 on two rounds at Cahoots bar in Carnaby (highly recommend,
it’s a located in a ‘disused’ underground station) However, if I went to
B.Y.O.C East located under the James Cochran Restaurant in Aldgate and paid £30 for
entry, £20 for a bottle of spirit – that is £50 for 5 rounds as opposed to £55
for 2.
FLAT UPDATE: I found my dream flat with everything apart
from the Hot Tub requirement However, it’s a short walk from a gym (with a hot
tub) if that counts for anything?!
More guides to London coming soon…
Mx
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