Group Tour Operator for holidays to London, United Kingdom

Conservation and Catacombs

Formed in 1975, The Friends of Highgate Cemetery formed with the aim of rescuing the cemetery from the state of disrepair it had fallen into after being abandoned to nature and vandals by the private firm that no longer found it profitable.

Since then, an increasing amount of restoration and conservation work has been carried out. The Egyptian Avenue, Circle of Lebanon and the Terrace Catacomb, along with over seventy other monuments, have now been listed by English Heritage, with over double that number having had expert attention and maintenance. During 2011, the chapel interior was restored to its 1880’s colour scheme and reopened for funerals.

With over 170,000 people in 53,000 graves, Highgate Cemetery is a place to remember the people who have gone before us and to celebrate their achievements. There are over 300 war graves at Highgate Cemetery. Most are from the First World War but there are over thirty from the Second World War, including a few women.

See the ivy-clad West Cemetery

You will visit the West Cemetery with its sinuous paths winding up a steep wooded hill and ivy-clad monuments. Here is a secluded funerary landscape at its most evocative. The West Cemetery is home to the most impressive architectural features of Highgate Cemetery — the Chapel, Colonnade, Egyptian Avenue, Circle of Lebanon, Terrace Catacombs and the mausoleum of Julius Beer. Visit the West Cemetery by guided tour only.  The tours last approximately one hour, so it is advisable to wear sturdy and comfortable footwear.

Home to famous characters such as Karl Marx and George Eliot, the East cemetery is a must see.  This part is free flowing so you can spend as much or as little time as you like taking in the resting places of the rich and famous.

Tempted by something more?

The tour also includes a visit to the nearby Bentley Priory Museum in Stanmore, which tells the fascinating story of the beautiful Grade II listed country house and its role as Headquarters Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain.

Another option to consider is the Royal Airforce Museum, telling the story of the RAF in the past century, through war and peace and its continued relevance today. The multi-award winning First World War in the Air exhibit is one of many excellent looks back at the tale of British military aviation.