Highgate Cemetery London: This is probably the most famous cemetery in London and dates from 1836. It covers 37 acres and when it was opened it became the most fashionable place to be...

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

This is probably the most famous cemetery in London and dates from 1836. It covers 37 acres and when it was opened it became the most fashionable place to be buried and also a place to visit because it is 310 feet above sea level, almost the highest spot in London and from the cemetery it was then possible to see over five counties. That is no longer possible because of the growth of the trees that have obscured the view. There are plans in the future to fell some trees to open up the view again.

The cemetery is divided in to two parts, East and West. It is possible to wander freely in the East part where Karl Marx is buried, but the West part can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The reasons for this are twofold. 1: It is a charity and depends on the entrance fees and donations to maintain it as it is what is known as a Grade I listed site. The second reason is that after more than 100 years some of the tombs are in a dangerous condition (Photos 4 and 5) and the risk of people clambering over them is too great. To have a tomb collapse under you would risk sending you falling up to 30' to the mausoleum below.

At the height of the rage for Egyptology after the discovery of the tomb of Tutankamun, it became fashionable to build tombs in that style and The Egyptian Avenue and the Circle of Lebanon feature tombs, vaults and winding paths dug into hillsides. The first two photos are of the entrance to The Egyptian Avenue. It was supposed to be made of Portland stone but the truth is that it is made of bricks faced with Portland cement. Through the arch you can see the Circle of Lebanon topped by a 350 year old cedar tree. The third photo is part of the Circle of Lebanon that comprises various mausoleums.

When the fashion for Egyptology waned, people turned to Classical themes using simple columns and draped urns. (Photos 6 and 7)

If you're interested you can see yet more shots of the cemetery here:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210818-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210828-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210840-1.html

and these were taken in the cemetery also:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210834-1.html

(Download)

NOTLguy Loc: Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

Thanks for sharing your posting and all of the associated photographs, it was very interesting reading.

It's such a pity they don't maintain this graveyard a little better than they seem to, particularly sine it has such historical value.

davefales Loc: Virginia

Nice series. I think some might be more interesting in color.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

davefales wrote:

Nice series. I think some might be more interesting in color.

I thought that B/W was appropriate for the Victorian era and I didn't do as many in colour but here's your wish granted.

(Download)

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

NOTLguy wrote:

Thanks for sharing your posting and all of the associated photographs, it was very interesting reading.

It's such a pity they don't maintain this graveyard a little better than they seem to, particularly sine it has such historical value.

Believe it or not they employ a team of gardeners and construction workers to maintain the cemetery but it is maintained by a charity that has limited money. They do re-construction of some of the tombs that are in immediate danger but as far as the gardening is concerned, to over garden would remove a great deal of the romantic charm that the cemetery posseses. They tread a very fine line between preservation and conservation.

I should add that with so much greenery, trees, shrubs etc., it is also a haven for wildlife and the guide told me thaTt there is at least one species of moss that is found nowhere else in the UK. I included two colour photos of flowers grown there and here are a few more examples of the green wildlife.

(Download)

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Gorgeous photos both b&w and color!! I do like them in b&w best! I love the lion and the grave with the dog. That is a cemetery that I would love to visit and would happily pay their entrance fee. Thanks for all the great info.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

luvmypets wrote:

Gorgeous photos both b&w and color!! I do like them in b&w best! I love the lion and the grave with the dog. That is a cemetery that I would love to visit and would happily pay their entrance fee. Thanks for all the great info.

Incredibly, the lion was made from white Carrera marble but as you can see, time has taken it's toll. I hope you followed the links to the individual pieces since they gave some history of the lion and the dog.

Glad you enjoyed the post.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Here's another shot of one of the headstones. It is interesting since it is the only headstone in the cemetery that actually gives the cause of death.

(Download)

Mrodri1014 Loc: Valparaiso, Indiana

Wow beautiful photos. I too like both sets, color and b/w. Thanks for including the history of the cemetery. I would love to visit,if I ever get to London.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Mrodri1014 wrote:

Wow beautiful photos. I too like both sets, color and b/w. Thanks for including the history of the cemetery. I would love to visit,if I ever get to London.

Thank you very much for your comment. So glad that you enjoyed my small effort.

Hope that you do get to London one day and bear this in mind:

http://highgatecemetery.org/

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

Very nice sets, both B/W and colour.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Jolly Roger wrote:

Very nice sets, both B/W and colour.

Thank you very much indeed. I appreciate your comment. At least I know they weren't a total disaster!

medavis43 Loc: Folkston, GA

Would love to visit this cemetery. Looks like you could spend quite awhile there wandering around. Thank you for the history and the links as well. I love the wild flowers too.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Wow! Thank you for sharing the pictures and the information on this fascinating place. Never even heard of it before.

GARGLEBLASTER wrote:

This is probably the most famous cemetery in London and dates from 1836. It covers 37 acres and when it was opened it became the most fashionable place to be buried and also a place to visit because it is 310 feet above sea level, almost the highest spot in London and from the cemetery it was then possible to see over five counties. That is no longer possible because of the growth of the trees that have obscured the view. There are plans in the future to fell some trees to open up the view again.

The cemetery is divided in to two parts, East and West. It is possible to wander freely in the East part where Karl Marx is buried, but the West part can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The reasons for this are twofold. 1: It is a charity and depends on the entrance fees and donations to maintain it as it is what is known as a Grade I listed site. The second reason is that after more than 100 years some of the tombs are in a dangerous condition (Photos 4 and 5) and the risk of people clambering over them is too great. To have a tomb collapse under you would risk sending you falling up to 30' to the mausoleum below.

At the height of the rage for Egyptology after the discovery of the tomb of Tutankamun, it became fashionable to build tombs in that style and The Egyptian Avenue and the Circle of Lebanon feature tombs, vaults and winding paths dug into hillsides. The first two photos are of the entrance to The Egyptian Avenue. It was supposed to be made of Portland stone but the truth is that it is made of bricks faced with Portland cement. Through the arch you can see the Circle of Lebanon topped by a 350 year old cedar tree. The third photo is part of the Circle of Lebanon that comprises various mausoleums.

When the fashion for Egyptology waned, people turned to Classical themes using simple columns and draped urns. (Photos 6 and 7)

If you're interested you can see yet more shots of the cemetery here:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210818-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210828-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210840-1.html

and these were taken in the cemetery also:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210834-1.html

This is probably the most famous cemetery in Londo... (show quote)

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

medavis43 and Dixigirl, thank you both for your kind comments and I am so glad that you found the post interesting.