Highgate
The Town
While Highgate is probably best-known for its iconic cemetery, property buyers will soon discover there’s so much more to this leafy residential area of London. A property search will reveal that the majority of the area is Georgian and Victorian in character. It’s one of London’s most expensive suburbs, and the Highgate Society works tirelessly to protect and preserve its unique character. Amidst the attractive residential streets your buying agent can point you in the direction of fine shops, pubs and restaurants galore, many in beautiful Georgian buildings.
Travel
The nearest tube stations are Highgate, Archway and East Finchley. Highgate is on the Northern line: journeys to the West End take around 20 minutes. Property buyers will be pleased to hear the area has always had good public transport and road links to both Westminster and London as a whole. Highgate is on the A1, allowing property buyers to easily drive to Islington in the south, or the M1 north.
The History
Like so many suburbs now absorbed into Greater London, Highgate was once a village. It’s thought that the Highgate name was first used in about 1318. By the late 1300s the area was well established. The locality still incorporates a large part of the east of Hampstead Heath, with ancient woodlands and the lovely Highgate bowl. The “high gate” was originally a “hedge gate”, and the woods part of a private deer park.
By the 18th century Highgate was a small, pleasant country town. The fresh air and views from the hillside meant it quickly became much sought-after by property buyers. The Highgate Conservation Area was designated as such in December 1967.
Leisure and Events
Jacksons Lane Arts Centre hosts theatre performances, children’s shows, workshops and evening classes. This multi-purpose arts venue is located inside a Grade II Listed church. Or take a trip to nearby Kenwood House to admire masterpieces from the likes of Gainsborough, Rembrandt, Turner and Vermeer.
Need a little fresh air? Head for Hampstead Heath to explore the ponds, “go fly a kite” (as a certain famous fictional nanny would say), and simply enjoy being outside. Your property finder might also mention Highgate’s private membership golf club which allows non-members to play as guests, and a private hospital.
There are several great pubs – where else would you find an Angel, Duke’s Head and Wrestlers together? If you’d just like to sit and watch the world, then head for Pond Square, the location for the summer fair and the Christmas carol concert.
You’ll also find silent discos, boxercise, yoga and Pilates classes in Highgate. Let your property finder know if you’re looking for a residence with easy access to these activities.
And, of course a “must-do” for property searchers and residents alike is to take a guided tour of the cemetery.
Education
Highgate School was founded with the express permission of Queen Elizabeth I in 1565, and your buying agent will confirm it has produced many illustrious alumni. Take a moment out from your property search to reflect that John Venn, inventor of the diagrams, attended this establishment. The school takes pupils from 3-18; other well-regarded schools include Channing School, for girls from 4 to 18.
Consult your property finder if you need to be close to the schools. Apart from Highgate, the primary schools are the Church of England St Michael’s School and the Roman Catholic St Joseph’s.
Celebrity Connections
Most famous names connected to Highgate belong to those in the next world rather than this one, since you’ll find their memorials in the cemetery. Here lies Karl Marx, as well as physicist Michael Faraday and authors Douglas Adams, George Eliot and Christina Rossetti amongst others. Highgate Cemetery recently became the final resting place of impresario Malcolm McLaren and singer/songwriter George Michael.
Other celebrities linked to Highgate include singer-songwriter Rod Stewart and film maker Christopher Nolan. Many musicians, poets and writers have found inspiration here, including John Betjeman, T.S Eliot, Charles Dickens, Coleridge and J. B Priestley. (And ask your buying agent about Dick Turpin’s connections to the area.)
Foodies’ Corner
You’ll find brasseries, Argentinean, Greek, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean restaurants, many with excellent gluten free and vegan options. Alternative options are to step back in time and enjoy a meal at the Gatehouse, in a 1930s timber-framed pub, or enjoy chic and quirky eateries like the Disappearing Dining Club, located within a clothing shop.
Fun Fact
Highgate Hill was on the route of the first cable car in Europe.