The Catacombs And Terrace In Highgate (Western) Cemetery

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