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Thursday 15 October 2015

Highgate Cemetery (west side)

Highgate Cemetery
Visited May 2013


The west cemetery of Highgate is open by guided tour only. This is the only one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries which charges for entry (unless you're visiting a family grave, obviously), and the west cemetery is open by guided tour only, costing £12 for adults. Is it worth it? Well, it's not something I'd do frequently, but yes, it's worth it. The tour ticket includes entry to the east cemetery on the other side of the road, which would normally cost £4.

As it's a guided tour, you'll see different parts of the west cemetery depending on your guide, and possibly the interests of you and others in your group. Every tour includes the Egyptian Avenue and the Circle of Lebanon (with huge cedar of Lebanon in the centre). As it's a guided tour, there's no wandering off the path or moments of quiet isolation.

The cemetery is possibly the most famous in London, since opening in 1839. There have been stories of vampires (a quick google of the Highgate Vampire is an eye opener and no mistake, and  a number of the great and the good are here, from Pre-Raphelite artists to menagerie owners, newspaper moguls, the founder of Crufts, and scientists.








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