Guided Tour of Highgate Cemetery and free time in Highgate Village

July 1, 2022

Highgate Cemetery opened in 1839. It was run by a private company. Nowhere captures better than Highgate Cemetery the special atmosphere of the Victorian cemetery. But when, in the 1970s, they found it was no longer profitable to run commercially, nature took over and vandals had their day…

In 1975 The Friends of Highgate Cemetery was formed with the aim ‘…to promote the conservation of the cemetery, its monuments and buildings, flora and fauna, for the benefit of the public as an environmental amenity.’ Work began to clear through the overgrown landscape and repair some of the memorials which had been damaged by vandals during the cemetery’s decline.

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. English Heritage has listed Highgate Cemetery as a Grade 1 Park and has been impressed by continued restoration work.

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. The most famous resident of Highgate Cemetery East is Karl Marx, whose monument attracts comrades and others from all over the world.

The wonderful volunteer guides bring the cemetery alive with fascinating stories of its history and occupants. The tour of the West Cemetery lasts around 70 minutes and then there is time to explore the East Cemetery at our leisure. Paths are steep and sometimes muddy so please do wear appropriate footwear. 

Once finished at the Cemetery the rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the village and surrounding green spaces as you wish. Perhaps take lunch at one of the many pubs, restaurants, or cafes. Or stroll the High Street looking for that unique gift for someone special. If the weather is kind, Waterlow Park lies adjacent to the Cemetery with both Hampstead Heath and Highgate Wood within a 30-minute walk from the Cemetery.

Leaving Highgate at about 4.30pm we hope to be back in Dorking at around 6.30pm. 

Offer Price £45.00

per person to include return coach, guided tour of the West Cemetery and access to the East Cemetery at leisure with free time in the village of Highgate.
Pick-up 9am
Location: Dorking Halls