Betsy

I went for a very quick walk round Highgate Cemetery...didn't have a lot of time and was only visiting London...a few years ago ...fascinating place ...lovely photos Dr Phibes...would like to go back one day and have a thorough look round

Dr Phibes

Thanks Betsy,

But remember, if you want to go into the Western side, you have to go on the organised tour, and though you do see some of the best of Highgate, you won't be allowed to go into the real depths of it, unfortunately.

Betsy

As i remember,Dr Phibes, we just walked in....didn't know there was an organised tour..why aren't you allowed to go into the real depths of it?

Dr Phibes

For safety reasons apparently. It is still fairly run down in places after it was left for years unsecure.
You can walk around the Eastern Section totally on your own (the bit where Karl Marx is), but the better Western side is strictly TOUR ONLY.

Betsy

Ah.. we obviously went in the entrance where you could just wander about..without knowing about the tour...thanks for that....

Traherne

I would fully recommend the Highgate Cemetery West tour - it's once a day at 2pm, costs£5 and pre-booking is pretty essential. On Saturdays it's hourly and pretty sure you just turn up and the first 12-15 get in.

It's a brilliant cemetery - not just for Horror locations but the whole atmosphere of the place is very special. I love Thomas Sayer's grave with the dog.

I'd also recommend the East Side (costs £2.50 I think) open 10 - 4ish. There you can pay your respects to Sir Ralph Richardson, Max Wall and not forgetting William "The Magic Box" Friese-Green (whose grave you can actually see through the cemetery railings from the outside).

I'm lucky enough to live within one hour's walk of Highgate Cemetery so visit a few times a year. Right now, October/November, is probably best time to go.

Website with info - http://www.highgate-cemetery.org