Unlocking Highgate Cemetery

HERITAGE

From its earliest days, the architecture of Highgate Cemetery was a source of wonder and delight. Over time, the garden design gave way to woodland, ivy embraced the monuments and a special romance settled over the 36-acre site.

Today, many of the structures are unstable and access to some areas is difficult or closed. The most urgent needs include conservation of the Grade I-listed Egyptian Avenue and Circle of Lebanon; restoring access to expansive views from the Grade II*-listed Terrace Catacombs; and re-opening the grand West Carriage Drive.

Among other improvements, we will open up the Dissenters’ Chapel as a public space to explore 200 years of human stories.

NATURE

The Cemetery is a haven for life, from trees and plants to a variety of insects, birds and mammals, including a rare cave spider. Over time, the effects of climate change and an increasing monoculture of self-seeded Ash trees and a blight of Ash dieback have degraded this rich habitat.

We will remove dangerous and diseased trees, restoring biodiversity with climate-resilient planting and improved water management. Above all, we will protect the special character of Highgate Cemetery, where nature is inextricably entwined with stone.

COMMUNITY

Community is at the heart of Highgate Cemetery, from grave owners, visitors and members to the volunteers who have battled to save the site for the last 50 years.

As part of Unlocking Highgate Cemetery, we will partner with local organisations to develop a wide range of programmes, including oracy skills for school groups, vocational training in landscape management, as well as learning resources on universal themes such as grief, memory or celebrity.

Our new interpretation plan will expand the stories we tell, reflecting the huge range of heritage and welcoming a greater diversity of people.

Photo: Frank Cano, Head Gardener, working with students from the Harington Scheme (2024).

EXPERT TEAM

We have been working on Unlocking Highgate Cemetery since 2019 when we published our Conservation plan.

In 2021, we launched an international competition to find the right team to develop proposals. With their direction we carried out extensive survey work and research to understand the site and to inform proposals.

Over the past couple of years, we consulted with the public, Camden Council and Historic England to test our ideas. We are now developing these.

HIGHGATE CEMETERY NEEDS YOU!

Unlocking Highgate Cemetery is a seven-year, £18m project. Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and our own reserves, we can begin this vital work to unlock our future.

However, we must still raise £200,000 per year to complete the project. To discuss ways you can support, please contact us, or donate directly online.

THANK YOU.

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