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Highgate Cemetery - 4 Hour Tour
£300.00
Why Visit a Cemetery? Welcome to Highgate.
At first glance, visiting a cemetery might seem an unusual choice — but Highgate Cemetery is anything but ordinary. It is one of London’s most fascinating, atmospheric and beautiful places, offering history, culture, nature and storytelling all in one unforgettable experience.
Highgate Cemetery was created in 1839 in response to a very real Victorian problem: overcrowded churchyards, public health concerns and the fear of grave robbing and body snatching. The solution was revolutionary — a private cemetery designed more like a landscaped park, offering dignity, beauty and tranquillity. It quickly became a desirable resting place for those who could afford it.
Highgate was the third of what became known as London’s “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, a group of large, modern burial grounds built around the edge of the city. These cemeteries were considered a great success and remain some of the most important historic landscapes in London today.
Beyond its history, Highgate Cemetery is world-famous for its dramatic Gothic atmosphere. Its winding paths, towering monuments and overgrown woodland have made it a popular filming location, from classic Hammer horror films of the 1960s and 70s to modern productions such as Fantastic Beasts and Dorian Gray.
Many visitors are also drawn by the remarkable people laid to rest here. Notable residents include scientist Michael Faraday, Charles Cruft (founder of Crufts), author Douglas Adams, actor Ian Holm, actress Jean Simmons, musician George Michael, Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, and political philosopher Karl Marx.
Other fascinating figures include Henry Gray, author of Gray’s Anatomy (the medical text, not the TV series), Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens, and Adam Worth, believed to be the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes’ great adversary.
Artists and poets are well represented too, including Elizabeth Siddal and members of the Rossetti circle, with intriguing literary and cultural connections — even links to the inspiration behind Dracula.
Set across 37 acres of woodland and grassland, Highgate Cemetery is designated Grade I on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. As well as its monuments and stories, it is a peaceful, reflective place where nature thrives, making it just as appealing to walkers, photographers and nature lovers as it is to history enthusiasts.
The cemetery is divided into East and West, each with its own character. The West Cemetery is particularly striking and includes the iconic Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon, and the Terrace Catacombs, which are accessible only as part of a guided tour.
Your Visit with The Black Cab Tours
The Black Cab Tours will take you on a journey back in time to this remarkable place. We will collect you, transport you comfortably to Highgate Cemetery, and afterwards can take you to a lovely place to eat (optional), before returning you to your chosen drop-off point.
Before booking the cemetery’s guided tour, please check our availability and feel free to call or email us with your preferred dates.
Cab information:
- Vito cabs accommodate up to six people
- Traditional London Black Cabs accommodate five people
- Prices are per cab
Highgate Cemetery opening hours: 10am–5pm, daily from March to October
Cemetery tickets are purchased separately via the official Highgate Cemetery website.
Duration: 4 hours
Price: £300 per cab
Deposit: £50 to secure your booking with the remainder of payment to be paid 14 days in advance of your tour.
Please note that any fees for venues, food and refreshments are payable to the vendors on the day!
Cancellation policy: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for your full refund. No refund is available if you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour.
‘I need never have known existence’: Radclyffe Hall and LGBTQ+ visibility - The National Archives blog Gray's Anatomy - Wikipedia
Taste the Blood of Dracula, Christopher Lee, Hammer Films 1969 (baharna.com)
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