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Highgate is Hampstead’s quieter twin, a hilltop village in north London famous above all for its extraordinary Victorian cemetery. Handsome, wooded and steeped in atmosphere, it pairs a genuine village high street with green space and one of the most evocative places in the whole city.
Where is Highgate and how to get there
Highgate sits on a hill in north London, next to Hampstead Heath. It is served by Highgate station on the Northern line, with Archway a short distance downhill, and the village is an easy walk from the Heath.
The cemetery and the village
The great draw is Highgate Cemetery, a gothic Victorian burial ground of ivy-clad tombs and winding paths, resting place of Karl Marx and George Eliot among many others, and the subject of the famous Highgate Vampire legend. The atmospheric West Cemetery is seen by guided tour. Beyond it, the village around Pond Square keeps period charm, Waterlow Park offers gardens and views, and the northern reaches of Hampstead Heath begin on the doorstep.
Eating and drinking
Highgate has a fine crop of village pubs, including the historic Flask, and enough cafes and restaurants along the high street for a relaxed lunch. It suits a slow half-day combining the cemetery with a walk on the Heath.
Good to know
Can you visit Highgate Cemetery?
Yes. Highgate Cemetery is open to visitors, with an admission charge that supports its upkeep. The West Cemetery, with its dramatic Victorian tombs, is usually seen on a guided tour, while the East Cemetery, home to Karl Marx’s grave, can often be explored independently. Booking ahead is advisable.
Where to go next
Combine it with Hampstead next door, or browse all our London neighbourhood guides.
