Living in Highgate

About Highgate

Highgate has long attracted creatives and more recently, celebrities, drawn by its charm and community spirit. Families enjoy a strong local network and a beautiful setting, perched on one of London’s highest points. The area offers sweeping views over the city and easy access to Hampstead Heath. Despite its exclusive reputation, Highgate’s property market is surprisingly varied, with everything from grand period homes to stylish one bedroom flats, making it a sought-after spot for a wide range of buyers.

Fact file

• Highgate is famous for its Grade I-listed cemetery, where it gained much notoriety in the press in the early 1970s for supposedly being the haunt of the ‘Highgate vampire’.
• Highgate Hill, the street that links Archway with Highgate Village, was the route of Europe’s first cable car. It operated between 1884 and 1909.
• Visitors to Highgate pubs from the 17th to 19th centuries would have to undertake the comical custom of ‘Swearing on the Horns’ to confirm their commitment to debauchery. A clerk would read an oath, which participants would agree on, then kiss or salute a set of horns.

Architecture and property 

Highgate village dates back to 1354, originally part of the Bishop of London’s hunting estate. From the 16th century, grand homes began lining Highgate Hill and by the Georgian era, it had become a sought-after retreat for wealthy City workers - a demographic that continues today. The area offers a wide range of properties, from Victorian mansions and Georgian townhouses to modern developments like Highpoint, which feature communal gardens, tennis courts and a heated outdoor pool.

Going out

The High Street features a mix of independent and chain restaurants. The Gatehouse pub serves fresh, Spanish-inspired dishes, while Chango offers a vibrant Latin experience. Just beyond Highgate, Holloway Road and Junction Road boast favourites like Italian 500 and St John’s Tavern. 

For classic pub charm, locals love The Red Lion & Sun, The Flask and The Wrestlers.

Cultural life thrives at Jacksons Lane, a performing arts venue in a converted Gothic church and The Red Hedgehog, a cosy concert hall for classical music. Head upstairs at The Gatehouse to experience some fringe theatre, while Pond Square is the heart of community events like the Highgate Summer Fair and Christmas carols. Highgate Library, housed in a striking Edwardian building, is a local hub supported by the Friends of Highgate Library, who organise talks and events. The Highgate Society plays a key role in preserving the area’s character and promoting local initiatives.

Local amenities

Tesco Express on the High Street covers daily essentials, while Highgate Butchers and organic grocers cater to more specialist tastes. For larger shops, Morrisons and Waitrose on Holloway Road are just a short drive away. 

Fitness and leisure are well catered for, with Archway Leisure Centre offering a pool, sauna and gym. Highgate Golf Club has a strong social scene and many residents are active members.

Green spaces

Highgate is rich in natural beauty, with its own woodlands and easy access to some of London’s most scenic green spaces. Locals enjoy walks through Highgate Wood’s 70 acres of ancient forest, or venture to Hampstead Heath for panoramic views and a glimpse of Kenwood House, where sometimes summer concert rehearsals can be overheard. Families often gather in Waterlow Park, a welcoming space gifted to the public in 1889 as a ‘garden for the gardenless’. Queen’s Wood and other nearby parks offer peaceful routes for walking and cycling, making outdoor life a key part of the Highgate lifestyle.