If you’ve already ticked off London’s big-ticket tourist attractions and fancy something more unusual, I highly recommend a visit to Highgate Cemetery. It’s one of the city’s most fascinating experiences – beautiful, eccentric, educational, and a little eerie too. You’ll get a dose of history, some fresh air, and a walk through one of London’s most atmospheric green spaces. I went with friends and we all loved it. The cemetery is nestled in Highgate, a leafy North London neighbourhood with a village feel. It’s easy to spend a whole day in the area, so if you’re looking for a different kind of outing, this is one to add to your list.
Sleeping Angel
Highgate Cemetery London West Side
There are two separate cemeteries, the east and the west. The west side is the more dramatic of the two and can only be visited by joining a guided tour. It’s where you’ll find the most striking architectural features, including the chapel, colonnade, Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon, terrace catacombs, and more.
Egyptian Avenue
The day we went, the weather was damp and a little misty, which gave everything an almost dreamlike quality. With the winding ivy, tangled foliage and ancient trees, it felt both enchanting and slightly haunting. The group we joined was a good mix, and our guide Vivienne made it especially enjoyable. She was full of energy and passionate about the stories of those buried there.
Catacombs
Highgate Cemetery was opened in 1839 as one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ garden cemeteries, built in response to overcrowded and unsanitary burial grounds in the city. Its hilltop location made it not only desirable but spiritually significant; being higher up was thought to bring you closer to God.
Chapel
The Victorians had a much more theatrical approach to death than we do now. Wealthy families spent fortunes on flamboyant funerals, elaborate tombs and private mausoleums. It wasn’t unusual to see people picnicking in graveyards, proudly showing off how much they had spent on their loved one’s final resting place. Because Highgate was a private business, it encouraged these extravagant displays as a way to attract more clients.
The Grand Julius Beer Mausoleum
After the wars, however, everything changed. Cremation became more common, and people were less inclined to spend heavily on burials. With fewer resources and groundskeepers, the cemetery gradually fell into disrepair. At one point, it was so neglected that it faced being sold off to developers. Thankfully, in 1975, a group known as the Friends of Highgate Cemetery stepped in to save it. They still manage the site today, and your ticket money helps fund ongoing restoration work.
The Circle of Lebanon Built Around an Ancient Cedar Tree
One of the stories that stuck with me was about Thomas Sayers, a Victorian bare-knuckle boxer whose funeral in 1865 drew a crowd of over 10,000 people. At his request, his dog Lion was allowed to ride in the carriage behind the coffin and is now depicted lying faithfully on his grave. Tales like this bring a real human element to the tour, giving you a sense of how society once approached death, remembrance, and the legacy it leaves behind.
Thomas Sayers, Victorian Bare Knuckle Fighter
The West Cemetery is open by guided tour only, and your ticket also gives you access to the East side. Tours last around 70 minutes. On weekdays, there’s one tour daily at 1.45 pm, which must be booked online in advance, with tickets released monthly. On weekends from March to October, tours run every half hour from 11 am until 4 pm, and from November to February, from 11 am until 3 pm. Weekend tours are not bookable in advance, so it’s advisable to arrive early. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £7.50 for children aged 8 to 17 years old. Children under eight are not permitted. There’s a beautifully produced souvenir guide on sale for £ 5, which is worth picking up.
Highgate Cemetery London East Side
The East Cemetery, which opened in 1860, is a more structured and open space, accessible to the public for self-guided visits. This is where you’ll find the gravestones of many famous names, including Karl Marx, Douglas Adams, George Eliot, and Malcolm McLaren. It’s a peaceful, wooded setting and a lovely place to stroll. You’ll be given a map at the entrance to help locate key graves and navigate the paths.
Karl Marx Monument
From March to October, the East Cemetery is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from 11 am to 5 pm, with the last admission at 4.30 pm. From November to February, it is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from 11 am to 4 pm, with last admission at 3.30 pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and free for under-18s. There’s also a Saturday guided tour of the East Cemetery at 2 pm, which costs £9 for adults and £4.50 for children.
Highgate Cemetery London Information
For more information, please visit the official Highgate Cemetery website. The address is Swain’s Lane, London N6 6PJ. The nearest underground station is Archway on the Northern Line, take the Highgate Hill exit and walk uphill until you reach Waterlow Park, which you can cut through to get to the cemetery in around ten minutes. Alternatively, buses 210, 271 and 143 stop nearby. There’s a café at the entrance to Waterlow Park where you can get a coffee and use the facilities before or after your visit. The East Cemetery also has well-maintained public toilets near the main gate.
Waterlow Park
Once you’ve finished at the cemetery, it’s worth walking up Swain’s Lane, where you’ll find cafes and shops. While you’re in the area, you might also enjoy a wander through Waterlow Park, a ramble on nearby Hampstead Heath, or a visit to Kenwood House. Highgate’s peaceful streets and historic charm make it one of the loveliest pockets of North London to spend the day exploring.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.