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Highgate Cemetery was opened in
1839 and is the final resting place to a surprisingly large number
of well-known people. In fact it became the 'in place' to be buried
by the Victorian jet set.
Karl Marx is perhaps the best
known of these recumbent. He was laid to rest in the East Cemetery
at Highgate on March 17th 1883 in the same grave as his wife Jenny
who was buried 15 months earlier.
His
gravestone
features a large sculpture of his head and the inscription “Workers
of all lands, unite”. This is possibly the most
visited grave here.
The tombs
of George Eliot and Dickens’ estranged wife and daughter are here.
(Dickens himself is buried in
Westminster Abbey), as are Michael Faraday, Foyles, Radclyffe Hall, Carol Rosa and Sir Ralph Richardson.
Highgate is
considered by many to be one of the best for Victorian funerary
architecture.
The West
Cemetery being more atmospheric
it is no wonder that is thought to have served as inspiration for
Bram Stoker for his novel Dracula.
In 1975 it
ceased to be financially viable and the owners closed down the West
Cemetery. The Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust energetically keep
things going. They will welcome help of any sort.
The cemetery is
open every day except Christmas and Boxing Day. If there is a
funeral in progress then it is closed during this time. Visitors are
asked to remember that they should respect the fact that this is a
cemetery and treat kit as such. Some of the buildings are listed
Grade I and Grade II so please take care.
The West
Cemetery can only be explored on a guided tour.
No weekday tours in December, January and Feb. Due to limited
spaces, you're best to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Video
cameras and children under eight are not permitted in the West
Cemetery.
For more
information see the
Highgate
Cemetery Web
Swains Lane
Highgate
London
N6 6PJ
Tel: +44 (020) 8340-1834
Archway tube
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