The ancient ward boundaries were redrawn in 2013; the names are preserved but their location only loosely approximates to their historic extent.

[3] Aldersgate Without was, at an early date, part of an area outside the northern wall called the Soke of Cripplegate, held by the church of St. Martin's Le Grand.

The area included the parish church of St Botolph's Aldersgate and the adjacent Postman's Park, named after the former principal sorting office in King Edward Street, and the location of the Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice.

By the end of the 11th century Botolph was regarded as the patron saint of boundaries, and by extension of trade and travel.

This name may derive from Pickt Hatch, an area of brothels said to be in this part of London during the Elizabethan era.

[14][15] In 1554 Aldersgate Street was the scene of a fraud where Elizabeth Crofts was smuggled into a wall to pretend to be a heavenly voice.

On 24 May 1738, attending a meeting at the church, the clergyman John Wesley underwent a profound religious experience.

Wesley's Chapel, in nearby City Road, remains a major focal point of the worldwide Methodist movement.

Adjacent to the modern roundabout on the site of the gate was the former headquarters of the General Post Office (closed in 1910 and demolished shortly afterwards), and the adjoining Postman's Park.

The southern part of the roundabout and the northern part of where the Post Office once stood are located on the site of a collegiate church and sanctuary founded in 750 by Withu, King of Kent, hugely expanded in 1056 by Ingebrian, Earl of Essex, and issued with a royal charter in 1068 by William the Conqueror.

The entire length of the eastern side of the street is now occupied by a part of the 40-acre (16 ha) Barbican residential and arts complex.

It used to be a Victorian landmark in the area, popular with business men, visitors and juries attending trials at the Old Bailey.

Opened in 1879, refurbished and modernised in 1921, suffered severe damages by the Second World War bombs and was consequently demolished.

After the First World War it was temporary closed, and commanded by the government as a hostel for Jewish refugees escaping Poland and Belgium.

[25] Advertisement of the hotel regularly featured on local magazines and periodicals referring to its splendid rooms, wine cellar, luncheon for City workers, and as a venue for wedding receptions.