Highgate Cemetery a short walk from Hampstead village holds an extraordinary concentration of Victorian figures. A guide to the most significant graves.
Hampstead and Highgate are North London's twin hilltop villages, neighbours across Hampstead Heath, linked by history, character, and a shared love of the green space between them. One of the most atmospheric connections is Highgate Cemetery, the great Victorian burial ground a walk away across the Heath. This guide explores the Hampstead-Highgate connection and the cemetery that links them.
- Hampstead and Highgate are neighbouring hilltop villages, divided by the Heath
- Highgate Cemetery is a short walk from the Heath, one of London's most atmospheric places
- The two villages share history, character, and the Heath between them
- A walk from Hampstead to Highgate across the Heath is one of London's best
- Highgate offers its own village charm, pubs, and green spaces
- Combine the two villages and the cemetery for a memorable day
Twin Villages of the Heath
Hampstead and Highgate sit on neighbouring hills in North London, separated, and connected, by Hampstead Heath. Both began as hilltop villages outside London, both became fashionable retreats for the wealthy and the creative, and both retain a strong village character today despite being absorbed into the city. They are natural companions, and the walk between them across the Heath is one of the great pleasures of North London.
While Hampstead is perhaps the more famous, Highgate has its own distinct charm, a beautiful village high street, historic pubs, fine architecture, and its own green spaces, and the connection between the two, via the Heath, makes exploring both in a single day a rewarding experience.
Highgate Cemetery: The Atmospheric Link
The most remarkable thing to see in Highgate, and a short walk from the Heath, is Highgate Cemetery, one of London's "Magnificent Seven" Victorian cemeteries and one of the most atmospheric places in the city.
What Makes It Special
- East Cemetery (self-guided): Home to the famous grave of Karl Marx, as well as George Eliot, Douglas Adams, and many others.
- West Cemetery (guided tours): The architectural heart, the Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon, and Victorian Gothic mausoleums, reclaimed by nature into something extraordinary.
- Atmosphere: Ivy-clad monuments, ancient trees, and an air of romantic, melancholy beauty unlike anywhere else in London.
Highgate Cemetery is a unique experience, part history, part art, part nature, and its position, a walk across the Heath from Hampstead, makes it a perfect addition to a day exploring the twin villages. See the complete Highgate Cemetery guide for full details.
Robert Lang, who leads tours in the area, loves the Hampstead-Highgate connection. "People treat them as separate destinations, but they're two halves of the same story," he said. "Twin hill villages, both retreats for writers and artists, both clinging to their village character, with the Heath flowing between them. The walk from one to the other across the Heath is glorious, and then you arrive at Highgate Cemetery, which is like nowhere else on earth. Marx, George Eliot, the Circle of Lebanon swallowed by trees. To do Hampstead, the Heath, and Highgate Cemetery in one day is to see the very best of North London."
Walking from Hampstead to Highgate
One of the finest walks in London is the route from Hampstead to Highgate across Hampstead Heath. The walk takes you through the heart of the Heath, its woods, ponds, and the views from Parliament Hill, before climbing to Highgate village and the cemetery. It is a walk that combines green space, spectacular views, and the pleasure of arriving in a second historic village.
A typical route:
1. Start in Hampstead Village, explore its historic streets.
2. Cross the Heath, via Parliament Hill for the view, and the ponds.
3. Climb to Highgate, arriving in the village at the top of the hill.
4. Visit Highgate Cemetery, the East and/or West Cemetery.
5. Explore Highgate Village, its high street, pubs, and Waterlow Park.
Allow a good half-day or full day for the round trip with time to explore.
Highgate Village
Highgate itself rewards exploration. The village has:
- A beautiful high street with independent shops, cafes, and restaurants
- Historic pubs, including the Flask (a Highgate institution, not to be confused with Hampstead's Flask) and the Gatehouse
- Fine Georgian and Victorian architecture
- Waterlow Park, a lovely Victorian park with ponds and Lauderdale House (an arts centre), one of the area's great green spaces
- Highgate Wood and Queen's Wood, ancient woodlands nearby
Highgate offers a quieter, less touristy alternative to Hampstead, with its own strong character and charm.
A Twin-Village Day Out
1. Morning: Explore Hampstead Village and start across the Heath.
2. Midday: Parliament Hill for the view; continue across the Heath.
3. Afternoon: Arrive in Highgate; visit Highgate Cemetery.
4. Late afternoon: Explore Highgate Village, Waterlow Park, the high street, a historic pub.
5. Return: Walk back across the Heath, or take public transport.
This itinerary takes in two of London's most characterful villages, the great green space between them, spectacular views, and one of the city's most extraordinary places, a memorable day out.
Practical Information
- Highgate Cemetery: East Cemetery (self-guided, small fee); West Cemetery (guided tours), see the full guide
- The walk: Hampstead to Highgate across the Heath, allow a half to full day
- Highgate Village: High street, historic pubs, Waterlow Park, ancient woods
- Best for: Walkers, history lovers, anyone exploring North London
- Getting there: Hampstead (Northern line) to start; Highgate (Northern line) or Archway for the cemetery
The connection between Hampstead and Highgate, twin hilltop villages joined by the Heath, is one of North London's great treasures. The walk between them across the Heath, culminating in the extraordinary Highgate Cemetery, takes in green space, spectacular views, and two of London's most characterful villages in a single memorable day. Explore both, walk the Heath between them, and discover the rich connection that links these two remarkable corners of North London.
