The historic area of Moorgate derived its name from one of the medieval gates that existed in the area. There were a total of seven gates in the middle ages that surrounded the city of London. It is the only gate that does not a Roman origin name. The gate was removed in 1761 to ease the congestion of traffic in the area. Now Moorgate is considered to be an important financial district of the city.
There are also several fine hotels near Moorgate, which are popular with business travellers to the area. In fact, hotel accommodation near Brewery Road London City is considered to be out of the most competitively priced in the area.
One of the top boutique hotels in the area is The Montcalm at the Brewery London City, which offers a comfortable and elegant ambience at an affordable cost. An interesting area to explore nearby is Liverpool Street that serves as home to many bankers and also has some wonderful places to see and things to do like:
Dennis Severs’ House: A visit to Dennis Severs house is one of the most unforgettable experiences to undertake. He created a most unique ambience of an imaginary Huguenot family within the home. It is spread over three floors and is an authentic recreation of the life and times of a middle class English family from 1724 to the early 1900s. Dennis Severs spent a large part of his life in recreating this incredible scene which includes different sounds and smells in every room of the home, an experience that will transport you back in time. It was his endeavour and intention to transport visitors back to the 18th century through the use of their own sensory perceptions. The tour is unique as it is done in silence so that visitors can hone in on their own extra sensory perceptions.
Old Spitalfields Market: It is just a short stroll from the station with the area having one of the most diverse markers in the city. It is open all the days of the week, with it being a food market as well as a shopping destination. What makes it special is that you will find something new and different on each day. On a Thursday it hosts an Antiques Market that offers a wide variety of vintage items and antiques. Friday is when you will find an art market along with fashion outlets selling a wide variety of items. Saturdays generally are a themed day with Sunday being reserved for a general market, when you will find a number of new and upcoming designers showcasing their creations. The first and third Friday every month is reserved for a record fair for music lovers, where they can look for both rare and new vinyl records.
Heron Tower: The Heron Tower is a massive skyscraper that is officially called Saleforce Tower. It stands an impressive 230 metres in height and has 46 floors, which makes it the third tallest building in the city. The tower was completed in 2011, which is known for its grand entrance that has a triple height reception and houses the biggest privately owned aquarium with 1,300 in the country. There are two restaurants to be found at the top and taking a ride up is a memorable experience. On the 38th floor there is Sushi Samba’s renowned for its cocktails and its cuisine. On the 40th floor is Duck & Waffle that offers magnificent views of the city and an impressive menu as well.
St Botolph without Bishopsgate: The Church that lies in the City of London was the fourth to be built in the same area and was completed in 1792. It managed to survive the Great Fire of London and damage in 1993 by an IRA bomb. It took three and half years to be repaired and thereafter resumed regular church services. It is open to the public on weekdays. It also hosts a memorial chapel for the London Rifle Brigade, The Book of Remembrance and the Honourable Artillery Company. From there visitors can head to its public garden to relax. The halls are available on hire for commercial or private events.
The Old Truman Brewery: Located in East London it is one of the most culturally vibrant areas of the city. With a host of fine art galleries, restaurants, shops and markets it is a far cry from being a vacant area as it was two decades ago. Now there are buildings and event spaces galore. The brewery now offers a number of outdoor and indoor locations for fashion shows, music videos and fashion shows etc. There also is a gallery on hire for exhibitions and also plays host to a number night life venues such as clubs and bars. It has some of the best entertainment spots in this part of London.
Broadgate Ice Rink: The ice rink is located near Broadgate Tower that is one of the biggest buildings in the country. It is open to skaters of all age groups and levels. It opens to the public from the middle of November till Feb end. It is recommended to book your tickets in advance as it attracts large crowds. There are discounts available for senior citizens, families and students. For first timers there are private lessons available from £30. Once you are done skating and want to relax you could drop in at any of its bars for a nice hot chocolate shake.
30 St Mary Axe: Take a stroll along Liverpool Street and it is highly unlikely that you will miss seeing towering skyscraper in the background. It took three years to be built and opened to the public in 2004 and is commonly known as the The Gherkin. It was designed by Fosters and Partners Group and project was taken up after they were unable to salvage the Baltic Exchange building that had been bombed. The building is famous for its use of eco-friendly ventilation systems and energy saving components. The top level at the 40th floor offers some of the most impressive 360 degree views of the city. It is a treat for architecture lovers to walk around and admire its external and internal design and structure.
