The first meeting of HLSI was held at The Gatehouse in 1839 and was attended by Keats, Shelley, Byron and Coleridge amongst others. There is something interesting happening almost every day at the HLSI. We offer a wide range of courses, on languages and art, music and cultural history. There are lectures, films, book and craft fairs, parties, concerts, and an annual quiz. We take part in the London Open House weekend and Highgate’s Fair on the Square.
Our members have a wide range of interests and these are reflected in a variety of special groups including book groups, a playreading and a poetry group, the Science Group, the Opera Circle and the Film Society.
The HLSI is registered under the Friendly Societies Act Registration No 51SA giving full charitable status