Last Updated on 14 July 2025 by Vanessa
Is Highgate Cemetery haunted?
Rumor has it, it’s one of the most haunted places in London. There are countless stories of ghost sightings, unexplained noises, and even the infamous Highgate Cemetery vampire.
However, this hallowed ground is more than just a realm of fright and fear.
Those who are brave enough to go will discover dozens of cats roaming amidst weathered tombstones and ivy-covered mausoleums. This is their home.
Are you brave enough to explore the shadows of one of London’s most haunted and fascinating graveyards and meet these mysterious cats?
Is Highgate Cemetery haunted? Let’s find out!
A brief history of Highgate Cemetery
Highgate Cemetery is one of London’s most famous cemeteries, known for its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and haunting atmosphere. Located in the northern part of the city, the cemetery is the final resting place of many notable figures from London’s past, including authors, scientists, and politicians.
The cemetery was established in 1839 as a response to London’s lack of burial grounds. It’s the third of the seven cemeteries to be built back then, and it quickly became one of the most prestigious places to be buried in London. Its Gothic architecture and ornate gravestones attracted many wealthy families, and soon the cemetery was home to an impressive collection of mausoleums and tombs.
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Famous graves and mausoleums
Today, Highgate Cemetery is still a popular destination for tourists, who come to pay their respects to some of the city’s most famous residents. Among the notable graves at Highgate Cemetery are those of author George Eliot, philosopher Karl Marx, author Douglas Adams, painter Patrick Caulfield, and scientist Michael Faraday.
The cemetery is also home to many beautiful mausoleums and monuments, including the stunning Circle of Lebanon, a towering structure made of Egyptian-style stone.
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The ghosts and vampires of Highgate Cemetery
One of the reasons Highgate Cemetery is so famous is its reputation for being haunted.
Over the years, many people have reported strange and eerie experiences while visiting the cemetery. Some claim to have seen ghostly apparitions or heard strange noises coming from the graves, while others have reported feeling an inexplicable sense of unease or dread.
There have been several high-profile incidents at Highgate Cemetery that have contributed to its haunted reputation. In the 1960s and 1970s, there were reports of a vampire-like creature that roamed the cemetery at night, attacking and killing animals. This led to a frenzy of media attention, with many people flocking to Highgate Cemetery to see if they could catch a glimpse of the vampire.
One man, whose car had broken down, reported seeing a hideous apparition with glowing red eyes. Another man was knocked to the ground by a creature that “seemed to glide” from the wall of the cemetery and then disappeared into thin air. Some say it’s a vampire, waiting for unsuspecting victims to take with him under the foliage-covered grounds.
In recent years, there have been fewer reports of supernatural activity at Highgate Cemetery, but the haunting atmosphere still lingers. Many visitors report feeling a sense of awe and reverence while exploring the cemetery, as if they are walking among the ghosts of London’s past.
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The cats of Highgate Cemetery
Besides the ghosts and the vampire, Highgate Cemetery also hosts several cats. These mysterious felines quietly roam among the weathered tombstones and ivy-covered mausoleums. The cemetery is their home, and they have even become a vital part of its ecosystem.
The main reason so many cats live here is because they love quiet, undisturbed places. Highgate Cemetery offers the perfect peaceful sanctuary where they can find shelter from the rain and cold.
It’s also easy for the cats to hunt here, especially mice, rats, and even birds that live among the trees and shrubs.
Others believe the cats are there to protect us from evil spirits. Folklore and cultural traditions often credit cats with the power to sense and ward off ghosts. Their sharp hearing and night vision help them detect paranormal activity that humans might miss. Even today, their alert, cautious behavior, and mysterious nature make people see them as guardians against ghosts or malevolent forces.
In this way, the cats act as silent sentinels, watching over the unseen forces that may roam the shadows of London’s Highgate Cemetery.
Cleo
The cat from these pictures is called Cleo. His owner, Marina, got him as a little stray. “We live just across the road. He loved cemetery in his younger days and spent all his time there. I’d even have to call him out, every night,” Marina says. “He was such a friendly cat.”
🩵 September 2009 – 10th July 2025 🩵
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Practical information
Despite its haunted reputation, Highgate Cemetery is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. The cemetery is divided into two sections, the East Cemetery and the West Cemetery, both of which are open to the public but have separate entrance fees, tours, and visiting rules.
The West Cemetery is home to many of the famous graves and mausoleums, while the East Cemetery is a quieter and more secluded area that is perfect for contemplation and reflection.
Of you wish, you can take a guided tour, or you can explore the cemetery on your own. In any case, Highgate Cemetery is full of interesting historical and architectural details, and there is always something new to discover.
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Address
Highgate Cemetery, Swain’s Lane, Highgate, London N6 6PJ, United Kingdom.
How to get there?
Underground (tube): Take the Northern Line and get off at Archway station. From there, it’s approximately a 15-minute walk to the cemetery. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Archway station to Highgate Cemetery.
Bus: Several bus routes serve Highgate Cemetery, including routes 143, 210, 214, 271, and C11.
It’s worth noting that Highgate Cemetery has separate entrances for the East Cemetery and West Cemetery. The West Cemetery (where the famous Karl Marx grave is located) has its own entrance on Swain’s Lane, while the entrance to the East Cemetery (including the Egyptian Avenue and Circle of Lebanon) is on Chester Road.
Opening times
West Cemetery is open daily from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm, with extended hours until 06:00 pm on weekends.
East Cemetery is accessible through guided tours only. The tour times may vary, so it is recommended to check the official Highgate Cemetery website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information.
Website: https://highgatecemetery.org
Read more about the Highgate Vampire in the books Haunted London by Peter Underwood and Haunted Cemeteries by Tom Ogden.
More cemetery cats
Want to visit even more cemeteries with cats? Check out our article 12 Famous Cemeteries That Are Home to More Cats Than Spirits. Here are just a few:
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