Overview
Highgate takes its name from a gate in the deer-proof hedge that once enclosed the Bishop of London’s hunting estate. By the Georgian era it had become a fashionable retreat for wealthy City workers, a demographic it continues to attract today, with its village character carefully preserved despite being enveloped by London’s northward spread.
Talk to us
Looking for a home in Highgate? Speak to Jane Wood & Associates for a discreet, highly personalised search shaped around your priorities.
Our Insight
Highgate suits buyers seeking village character and sweeping views of London. The market is surprisingly varied and understanding the differences between Highgate Village, the streets around Archway Road, and the Holly Lodge Estate is essential to making the right decision.
Why live in Highgate
- One of London’s highest points, with sweeping views across the capital from Highgate Hill.
- Village feel, with Georgian shops, pubs, and restaurants along Highgate High Street and around Pond Square.
- Easy access to Hampstead Heath and Waterlow Park, a 26-acre green space bordering Highgate Cemetery.
- A strong local community, with several conservation groups working to protect the area’s character.
- Good transport links, with Highgate station on the Northern line reaching the West End in under twenty minutes.
Property Landscape
Highgate’s housing stock spans several centuries. The Grove, regarded as the village’s most elegant street, contains fine 17th-century houses. Inter-war mansion blocks east of the High Street suit both first-time buyers and downsizers, while the streets either side of Archway Road offer red brick Victorian terraces and Edwardian houses with generous proportions. The Holly Lodge Estate, built on land once owned by philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts, and modernist developments including Highpoint, designed by Berthold Lubetkin in the 1930s, add further variety. For more contemporary, detached living, the roads around Highgate Golf Course are popular.
Highgate Highlights
- Highgate Cemetery, the atmospheric Victorian burial ground that is the resting place of Karl Marx, George Eliot, and Michael Faraday.
- Waterlow Park and Lauderdale House, with its café and gallery, set within 26 acres of parkland.
- Highgate School, founded in 1565 and one of the area’s most significant landmarks.
- Jacksons Lane, an arts centre housed in a converted Gothic church, hosting theatre, dance, and community events.
- Traditional pubs including the Flask, the Gatehouse, and the Wrestlers, lining the old High Street. Upstairs at the Gatehouse there is also a well-regarded fringe theatre.
Local Alumni
Many well-known names have lived on The Grove over the years, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the early 19th century, through to more recent residents including Jamie Oliver, Kate Moss, and George Michael. Sir Francis Bacon died at Arundel House on Highgate Hill in 1626.
Education & Connectivity
Highgate is home to Highgate School, one of London’s leading co-ed independent schools, founded in 1565, as well as Channing School for girls. For transport, Highgate station on the Northern line provides direct access into the West End and City, with Archway station also within easy reach by bus.
Talk to us about Highgate
- Local Expertise: With over 25 years of experience as London buying agents, we know Highgate street by street, from the period houses of the village to the mansion blocks and modern developments beyond.
- Exclusive Off-Market Access: The finest homes in Highgate rarely reach the open market. Our network means we hear about them early.
- Professional Negotiation: We negotiate exclusively on your behalf, ensuring you secure the right property at the right price with complete confidence.