Highgate Village

The Flask in Highgate. Copyright Britain on View

Highgate is separated from Hampstead by the wonderful wilds of Hampstead Heath. Both occupy magnificent spots on top of steep hills. Both brim over with beautiful 18th century architecture, both are home to a "A-list" inhabitants and both retain their original village charm. Which has the edge? Highgate is smaller and quieter, but it has a feature like no where else – the legendary Highgate Cemetery.

If you approach Highgate Village from North Road you will pass Highgate School. Now an exclusive fee-paying public school, it was originally established in 1565 for the local poor. T.S Eliot was a master at the school, and past students include John Betjemen and Clive Sinclair the inventor of the pocket calculator. Architecturally the beautiful buildings set the tone.

If you take the opposite approach, you will find, in the middle of Highgate Hill the Whittington Stone statue. It commemorates the spot where Dick Whittington and his cat allegedly heard the Bow Bells chiming "turn again, Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London".