Highgate Cemetery

[Lindsay]

I had a really interesting trip to Highgate Cemetery this week.

It's divided into two, the east and the west cemetery. My 2xg-grandfather is buried in the western, older, half, which is very overgrown, and only open by arrangement and to organised tours, while the east is in better condition and open to the public.

In the morning we had arranged to be escorted to the grave. I already had a photo which the cemetery had sent me, but I was so pleased to see it for myself. We left gg-grandfather a rose from my garden :). After a quick walk round the East cemetery (interesting, but not as atmospheric as the older part) we joined an organised tour of the western half - the Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon, the catacombs - just amazing!

The staff and volunteers were all lovely, and it's an incredible place. If you ever get the chance to go I can thoroughly recommend it.

[ElizabethHerts]

My great-grandparents are buried there, Lindsay. My daughter contacted the cemetery authorities and they cleared the grave for us prior to our visit as it was very overgrown. They are buried in the western part, quite close to the road.

I'm pleased you had such a good day. We had a very special visit too. I really should go back with my daughter as it was back in about 2006.

[Lindsay]

Yes, probably worth another visit, Elizabeth. I'd definitely go back, perhaps in the spring when apparently there are a lot of bulbs flowering.

When I saw the photo they sent I was amazed at how well-preserved the grave was, but it turns out it's one they had repaired. I was amazed to see it featuring in their before-and-after pictures on the posters describing their maintenance work. I'm glad I didn't go a couple of years ago, as it was completely hidden by a heap of ivy which had pulled the column over.

[kiterunner]

I would love to go and see my 2xg-grandparents' grave - but only if there is a gravestone - but it is in the western cemetery and as far as I can remember from reading the information, it looked as though I would have to book a visit before knowing whether there was a gravestone or not? Since there was a (high) price quoted for a package including the visit and the photo.

[Lindsay]

Since there was a (high) price quoted for a package including the visit and the photo.

I found out the location details for the grave I was interested in from DeceasedOnline. As I supplied that to the cemetery I paid £25 for them to clear the grave, send me a photo and take me to it when I visited. I seem to remember it's about £40 if you don't have the grave ref.

For me it was money well spent, as my man was buried with a previously unknown half-brother which allowed me to trace the family back another 2 generations.