Highgate Cemetery
As I mentioned in my last post, neojezebel and I went to Highgate Cemetery on Saturday.
Highgate is one of the 'Magnificent Seven', which are seven cemeteries used by the citizens of nineteenth century London. At this time all London's dead were buried in small parish churchyards, which quickly became dangerously overcrowded, leading to decaying matter getting into the water supply and causing all sorts of illness and calamity. In 1832 the UK Parliament passed a bill encouraging the establishment of private cemeteries outside London, and later passed a bill to completely close all inner London churchyards. This made way for the 'Magnificent Seven', and as I understand it, all of them were run as commercial enterprises.
Highgate itself is a Grade II* on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. The charity that looks after it aims to protect and preserve the monuments, buildings, natural plant, animal and bird life in the grounds (as practicably possible).
The entrance (including heads of queuing punters waiting for the tour!)
In the West Cemetery
Playing with shadows
I really couldn't help think about the Doctor Who episode 'Blink' here
Egyptian Avenue (taken from inside)
Tomb in the Circle of Lebanon
George Wombwell's Grave
More shadow play
West Cemetery somewhere
I just thought this plant was strange
Not a great way to die (but extremely interesting from a social historical perspective!)
It must be spring as the Bluebells are in bloom! (I could've done better with the light on this one - by this point I was cursing myself for forgetting to bring a lens filter!)
MOAR gravestones
After our wander, (and seeking out the graves of Karl Marx, George Elliot, Patrick Caulfield, Douglas Adams, and Paul Foot), we found a lovely local pub where veggie burgers and drinks were consumed accompanied by chat. We made a quick stop in Camden on the way back for neojezebel to collect a gig ticket (and for me to collect a hat), before parting ways at Euston to head our separate ways home.
After such a lovely day, it was a bit sad to read this in yesterday's Observer. It's such a difficult issue.It doesn't deter me from going back sometime though - I'd like to see it in the different seasons. I'd also like to take more pictures; we only had an hour on our tour (the Western Cemetery is only accessible by guided tour) so I'd like to see what else I can come up with (and this time if it's sunny I won't forget my polarizer lens filter!).
Highgate is one of the 'Magnificent Seven', which are seven cemeteries used by the citizens of nineteenth century London. At this time all London's dead were buried in small parish churchyards, which quickly became dangerously overcrowded, leading to decaying matter getting into the water supply and causing all sorts of illness and calamity. In 1832 the UK Parliament passed a bill encouraging the establishment of private cemeteries outside London, and later passed a bill to completely close all inner London churchyards. This made way for the 'Magnificent Seven', and as I understand it, all of them were run as commercial enterprises.
Highgate itself is a Grade II* on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. The charity that looks after it aims to protect and preserve the monuments, buildings, natural plant, animal and bird life in the grounds (as practicably possible).
The entrance (including heads of queuing punters waiting for the tour!)
In the West Cemetery
Playing with shadows
I really couldn't help think about the Doctor Who episode 'Blink' here
Egyptian Avenue (taken from inside)
Tomb in the Circle of Lebanon
George Wombwell's Grave
More shadow play
West Cemetery somewhere
I just thought this plant was strange
Not a great way to die (but extremely interesting from a social historical perspective!)
It must be spring as the Bluebells are in bloom! (I could've done better with the light on this one - by this point I was cursing myself for forgetting to bring a lens filter!)
MOAR gravestones
After our wander, (and seeking out the graves of Karl Marx, George Elliot, Patrick Caulfield, Douglas Adams, and Paul Foot), we found a lovely local pub where veggie burgers and drinks were consumed accompanied by chat. We made a quick stop in Camden on the way back for neojezebel to collect a gig ticket (and for me to collect a hat), before parting ways at Euston to head our separate ways home.
After such a lovely day, it was a bit sad to read this in yesterday's Observer. It's such a difficult issue.It doesn't deter me from going back sometime though - I'd like to see it in the different seasons. I'd also like to take more pictures; we only had an hour on our tour (the Western Cemetery is only accessible by guided tour) so I'd like to see what else I can come up with (and this time if it's sunny I won't forget my polarizer lens filter!).