Highgate Cemetery’s huge revamp has been officially approved

There’s big news from beyond the grave. Plans to refurbish one of London’s most hauntingly beautiful landmarks have officially been approved.

Highgate Cemetery, arguably the city’s most famous resting place, is getting a £18 million glow-up. Many of history’s greatest are buried in the third oldest cemetery in London, including Karl Marx, Lucian Freud, George Eliot and George Michael to name a few.

Camden Council has officially approved the proposals, which were unveiled around this time last year, giving the green light to a 25-year-long restoration project. The works will fortify the site from weathering – which has been accelerated by climate change – and general decomposition, including getting rid of diseased and dangerous trees.

There will be subtle but meaningful changes. Expect resurfaced walkways, better drainage (goodbye muddy shoes), restored monuments, and sensitive new planting designed to support biodiversity. 

Highgate Cemetery’s iconic main entrance will be restored, and six new buildings will also be created including a café and education centre. There are also grand plans to preserve the Egyptian Avenue and Terrace Catacombs, which are both Grade I-listed landmarks. Hopkins Architects will be overseeing the complex project.

The cemetery opened way back in 1839, a whopping 185 years ago – so it certainly seems time for a facelift.  But it hasn’t been plain sailing for the revamp projet. One proposition to construct a gardeners’ building for staff and new toilets was recently scrapped by Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust, which is partly funding the project. Grave owners were unhappy with the designs, which they thought were ugly, and didn’t like that their loved ones could be lying next to loos. The proposal was dropped from the masterplan.

Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust chief executive Ian Dungavell told Architects Journal: ‘We have set out our plans for the next 25 years. We will conserve the fragile historic structures and improve biodiversity while retaining the tranquillity of this special place. We will make it accessible to more people, and tell a wider variety of stories.’ 

🪦 Time Out’s guide to the magnificent cemeteries of London.

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