Tour of Highgate Cemetery

Highgate Cemetery, which opened in 1839, is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the seven private garden cemeteries opened in London in the first half of the 19th century.  It is a unique architectural and historic site – much of it Grade 1 listed – containing 53,000 tombs and 170,000 interments in a site covering a little under 40 acres. The tour will last approximately two hours, with one and half hours in the famous West cemetery, taking in the historic context and architecture but mostly focusing on the lives and stories of those interred there.  Our entry ticket will also entitle us to visit the slightly younger East cemetery. Much of the cemetery is on a steep hill and there are some steps to navigate – but we won’t walk fast. The tour will be led by Stephen Overton who is the honorary treasurer of the SSI.

A brief review by Bridget West:

"Around 20 of us enjoyed a fascinating visit to Highgate Cemetery on Thursday May 2nd.  The gods, or maybe the souls of the deceased, were smiling on us – amazingly it didn’t rain and, despite problems on various tube lines, we all managed to arrive on time for an 11 am start.  But best of all was our wonderful guide, Stephen Overton (who also happens to be the Honorary Treasurer of the SSI).   He made the visit so very interesting and entertaining, pointing out many fascinating graves and providing lots of amusing anecdotes.  To cap it all, the cemetery was looking absolutely magical, with mounds of pretty white flowers of wild garlic everywhere."