Visit Highgate
VISIT
HIGHGATE
002: St Joseph’s Retreat
St. Joseph’s Retreat is the Order of Passionists’ HQ in England. They built a chapel here in 1858, on the site of the Black Dog Inn; this building, by Albert Vicars, was consecrated in 1885.
004: Lauderdale House
Lauderdale House, built c.1580, probably for merchant Sir Richard Martin, Mayor of London; remodelled in 1760. During the 1660s it was owned by the Earl of Lauderdale (the ‘L’ of CABAL); visitors included Charles II and Samuel Pepys, but the claim that Nell Gwynn was installed there by Charles II...
006: Cromwell House
Cromwell House, built 1637-8 for Richard Sprignell, one of London’s finest 17th century houses, Grade I Listed, with elaborate interiors. In 1675 it was purchased by Jewish merchant Alvaro da Costa, the first property in England to be owned by Jews after their re-admission in 1656. A school from...
037: Witanhurst
The 18th century mansion Parkfield was replaced in 1917 by the vast Chateau-style Witanhurst for industrialist Sir Arthur Crosfield, who was instrumental in saving Kenwood House. The largest private house in London after Buckingham Palace, it has recently undergone substantial alteration. Much of...
063: The Gatehouse
The Gatehouse: Originally one of three toll gates into the mediæval Bishops of London’s Hornsey Great Park. An inn since at least 1634. The tollgate was removed in 1876. The name Highgate, first recorded in 1354, probably originated as the “high toll-gate”. Two parish boundary markers are set into...
064: Highgate School
Highgate School, founded 1565 by Chief Justice Sir Roger Cholmeley; alumni are called Old Cholmeleians. Two other founders were Bishops of London, who donated land from their Park. The block on the left of the main Quadrangle is by C.P.Leach (1898-99). The quaint gate and bell tower is probably...
084: The Wrestlers
The Wrestlers, 98 North Road, Highgate’s oldest Public House, traditionally founded in 1547. The present building dates to 1921. Highgate’s renowned, if bizarre, ceremony of “Swearing on the Horns”, established by 18th century publicans to promote trade and mentioned in a poem by Lord Byron, is...
085: Highpoint
Art Deco Highpoint, by Lubetkin and Tecton, an iconic example of 1930s British architecture. At the time it aroused fierce opposition from local people who formed the Highgate Preservation Society to oppose “unsightly and unwanted development”. Built on the site of the 18th century house The...
086: North Hill
North Hill has an impressive range of 17th to 20th century architecture. Get the Highgate Society’s free leaflet, “North Hill, Highgate: The Most Architecturally Diverse Street in Britain?”
090: The Victoria
The Victoria, a pub since at least 1861 and rebuilt in the early 20th century. It closed in 2015.
111: Kenwood House
Kenwood House, built 1764-79 by Robert Adam for the 1st Earl of Mansfield, whose decision, in the 1771 Somerset case, was an important step towards the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. Threatened with development in the 1920s, it was bought in 1925 by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of...
112: Athlone House
Athlone House, a fine 1870s mansion, was a cause celebre as local groups fought to prevent developers demolishing it. Their 18-year battle was crowned with success in 2015, and it has been repaired and restored by its current owners.