The Egyptian Avenue And Lebanon Circle (Inner And Outer Circles),Highgate Western Cemetery

THE EGYPTIAN AVENUE AND LEBANON CIRCLE (INNER AND OUTER CIRCLES), HIGHGATE WESTERN CEMETERY

Terraced catacombs of Grade I importance, comprising the Egyptian Avenue and two concentric rings of burial chambers below ground level at Highgate Western Cemetery on Swain's Lane.

The Egyptian Avenue and inner ring were constructed around 1838-1839, probably designed by J.B. Bunning. The outer ring followed approximately forty years later, around 1870, designed by Thomas Porter. The complex is built on a circular plan of two concentric rings accessed by steps on opposing sides. The Egyptian Avenue provides the main approach, consisting of catacombs cut into the hillside with a false perspective that makes the avenue appear longer than it actually is.

Egyptian Avenue

The avenue features a portal with flanking piers, each carrying paired, partly reeded Egyptianate half columns with lotus bud capitals that support a coved cornice decorated with relief Greek crosses. The gateway itself has a stepped pointed arch outlined by double roll moulding with a scored design and is fitted with cast iron gates. Obelisks flank the gateway; the left-hand obelisk is partly missing. Eight chambers line each side of the avenue. Each chamber has a similar roll moulded architrave to its gateway, some bearing an inscribed pedimented panel above, and each is fitted with a pair of cast iron doors with inverted torchere ornament. The vaults are brick-lined with shelves designed to accommodate twelve coffins each. A projecting continuous cornice runs the length of the avenue. At the inner end, the portal arch is treated in the same manner as the outer arch, with a coved cornice above, and is flanked by battered piers and a screen retaining wall that terminates in square piers with lotus capitals surmounted by an eagle holding a ball.

Inner Ring

The inner ring contains twenty chambers built into and around a circular island featuring a Cedar of Lebanon tree that predates the cemetery, having been part of the grounds of the former Ashurst House. The chambers are executed in Egyptianate style. Chamber entrances are decorated with reeded coved friezes and stuccoed or marble architraves, some incised and bearing inscriptions or inscribed panels above. Each entrance is fitted with a pair of iron doors signed by Hervey Burnett of London, matching the design of the Egyptian Avenue doors. A continuous coved cornice and plain parapet complete the design.

Outer Ring

The outer ring is bounded by a heavily rusticated retaining wall topped with a Doric cornice. It contains sixteen chambers in Graeco-Egyptian style, each designed to accommodate fifteen coffins. Chamber entrances feature trapezoidal eared surrounds, some in red granite, supporting pediments whose cornices continue as a moulded band along the retaining wall. The reveals and panels are inscribed. Cast and wrought iron gates largely match those of the inner ring. The final chamber was designated a columbarium following an 1888 licence to cremate.

Notable burials and historical significance

The outer ring includes the catacomb of Radclyffe Hall, the poet and novelist, shared with her partner Mabel Veronica Batten, whose name appears above the entrance. The inscription 'And if God choose I shall but love thee better after death - Una' refers to Una, Lady Troubridge, Hall's partner for twenty-eight years following Batten's death. Lady Troubridge planned to be buried in this catacomb but died in Rome and was buried before her wishes could be fulfilled. A pair of mausolea is situated nearby; the one to the right belongs to Carl Rosa.

The Egyptian Avenue and inner ring formed part of the original cemetery layout and proved so popular that the outer ring was added approximately forty years later.

Construction details

Throughout, materials include stuccoed brick, stone steps, and granite and marble dressings. Cast iron and wrought iron fittings feature prominently.

Restoration and recognition

The Egyptian Avenue and Lebanon Circle were restored between 1991 and 1997 and won the Europa Nostra award in 1998.