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Latitude: 51.5687 / 51°34'7"N
Longitude: -0.1499 / 0°8'59"W
OS Eastings: 528323
OS Northings: 187163
OS Grid: TQ283871
Mapcode National: GBR DT.WCY
Mapcode Global: VHGQL.CT3S
Plus Code: 9C3XHV92+F2
Entry Name: The Catacombs and Terrace in Highgate (Western) Cemetery
Listing Date: 14 May 1974
Last Amended: 11 January 1999
Grade: II*
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1378923
English Heritage Legacy ID: 478284
ID on this website: 101378923
Location: Highgate Cemetery, Parliament Hill, Camden, London, N6
County: London
District: Camden
Electoral Ward/Division: Highgate
Parish: Non Civil Parish
Built-Up Area: Camden
Traditional County: Middlesex
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Greater London
Church of England Parish: St Michael Highgate
Church of England Diocese: London
Tagged with: Architectural structure
CAMDEN
TQ2887SW SWAIN'S LANE
798-1/5/1558 (West side)
14/05/74 The Catacombs and Terrace in
Highgate (Western) Cemetery
(Formerly Listed as:
HIGHGATE (WESTERN) CEMETERY
The Catacombe Entrance & Terrace)
GV II*
Catacombs beneath terrace cut into the hillside. c1838-9.
Possibly by JB Bunning, utilizing and extending the existing
terrace, originally forming part of the garden of Ashurst
House (demolished). Brick with stone entrances. 5 central bays
form canted projection. Piers rise from ground level to form
dies, with gabled stone trefoil caps, to cast-iron traceried
terrace balustrade; polygonal piers at angles. Terrace
approached by flights of stone steps at either end. Central
pointed arch entrance with hoodmould and cast-iron gates
flanked by square-headed architraved doorways with coats of
arms on keystones and cast-iron panelled doors; above,
escutcheons with 4 small light openings.
INTERIOR: brick vaulted and originally lit by oculi set in
terrace. Gallery, more than 80 yards long, lined with separate
recesses, each large enough to take a single coffin end on,
from floor to ceiling down both sides of length, 840 in all.
Apertures sealed with inscribed slabs or small glass
inspection windows.
HISTORICAL NOTE: the catacombs could be used as a permanent
resting place or temporarily whilst a plot was chosen. The
terrace is probably the earliest surviving asphalted building
in the country having originally been surfaced by Claridge;
resurfaced late C20.
Listing NGR: TQ2854186964
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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