How to spend a day in Highgate — the cemetery, the village, Waterlow Park, Highgate Wood and the Heath edge. A self-guided walking itinerary with timings and tips.
One Day in Highgate: A Walking Itinerary
Highgate is Hampstead's quieter twin — same hilltop-village character, same literary and historical density, far fewer visitors. A day here is calm, green and rich in atmosphere: a world-famous Victorian cemetery, two excellent parks, ancient woodland and a village high street that feels untouched by the century.
Morning: Highgate Cemetery (10am–12pm)
Begin with the day's headline. Highgate Cemetery is the most atmospheric of London's Victorian "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries:
- The West Cemetery (guided tour only — book well ahead) is the spectacular half: the Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon, Victorian Gothic swallowed by nature.
- The East Cemetery (self-guided, ticketed) holds Karl Marx's monument and George Eliot's grave.
Arrive for a morning slot when the light through the trees is best and the crowds thinnest.
Late Morning: Waterlow Park and Lauderdale House (12pm–1pm)
Directly beside the cemetery's north entrance, Waterlow Park is one of North London's loveliest small parks — ponds, formal gardens, sweeping lawns and city views. At its centre, Lauderdale House (a 16th-century house, now an arts centre) has a café with a terrace — a good lunch stop.
Lunch: Highgate Village (1pm–2:30pm)
Walk up into Highgate village. Lunch options cluster around the high street and Pond Square:
- The Flask — a Highgate institution since the 18th century, with a garden.
- The Bull or one of the village restaurants for something more substantial.
Wander Pond Square and the high street afterwards — independent shops, Georgian frontages, the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution.
Afternoon: Highgate Wood and the Parkland Walk (2:30pm–4:30pm)
Two green options to finish:
- Highgate Wood — 70 acres of ancient woodland (oak and hornbeam dating back centuries), with a café, playground and genuine wildlife. One of London's best surviving fragments of the old forest.
- The Parkland Walk — join the disused-railway nature trail that runs from Highgate toward Finsbury Park or Alexandra Palace, a flat, green, traffic-free route with the famous "spriggan" sculpture.
Evening: The Heath Edge or a Village Pub (4:30pm onwards)
- Walk across to the Hampstead Heath edge and Kenwood House for golden-hour light over the lake (15 minutes from the village).
- Or settle into a Highgate pub — The Wrestlers, The Flask or The Bull — for dinner and a pint to close a calm day.
Practical Notes
- Book the cemetery West Cemetery tour ahead — it sells out, especially on weekends.
- Hills and paths: Highgate is hilly and the parks have unpaved paths; wear proper shoes.
- No big crowds: Unlike Camden or central Hampstead, Highgate stays peaceful — its appeal is exactly this.
- Budget: Cemetery entry/tour aside (£10–£30), the day is inexpensive — parks and woods are free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highgate worth visiting for a day?
Yes — the cemetery alone justifies the trip, and combined with Waterlow Park, the village, Highgate Wood and the Heath edge it makes a calm, complete and uncrowded day out.
Do you need to book Highgate Cemetery?
The West Cemetery is guided-tour only and should be booked ahead. The East Cemetery is self-guided with tickets available on the day, though booking is safer at weekends.
How do Highgate and Hampstead compare?
Same hilltop-village DNA, but Highgate is quieter, smaller and more residential. Many visitors combine both, linked by the walk across Hampstead Heath.
