MacVicar
Active member
Recently I attended a tour of Highgate Cemetery in the early afternoon, the weather was most pleasant. Though I had gone on the tour in 1991 [30 years ago] there then wasn't an opportunity to visit the unique above-ground terraced catacombs, due to restoration still to be undertaken. Highgate's catacombs are small when you consider the far spookier and far more capacious ones at either Kensal Green (or) West Norwood. Some friends and I attended the Kensal Green catacombs one quiet Sunday afternoon around 2004, we were not disappointed. The tour guide led us to an exciting-looking, but narrow staircase which descended into the bowels of this impressive, subterranean resting place where the long-dead could be visited more intimately. I had on my person a powerful lamp which was extremely useful, as some parts of the catacombs were in total darkness, illuminating not only the walk in front of you but the moldering exterior wood panels of the lead coffins themselves. I for one was totally fascinated with the visit, as the guide took us to an even older section of the catacombs, I daresay the first deceased occupants of the many shelves to be seen. I have to point out here, that K.G. Cemetery, unfortunately, is currently closed for the catacombs part of the visit due to work that 'needs to be done'. Likewise the same applies to West Norwood Cemetery, now I have not [yet] been to that cemetery, but have read that; 'nothing prepares you' for those catacombs, I have read this from various sources too. All deliciously spooky-I will attach two photographs from Highgate's catacombs-one of which the long-dead occupant shares the shelve space with a living arachnid!
