Unusual tourist attraction reveals £18million upgrade plans including ‘grand’ new entrance
A TOURIST attraction in London has revealed its plans for a multi-million renovation – despite being one of the more unusual places to visit in the city.
Highgate Cemetery welcomes around 100,000 people a year, despite still being a working cemetery that opened back in 1839.
That’s because of some of its famous burials, including George Michael, Karl Marxx and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy author Douglass Adams.
And local group Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust have revealed it’s seven-year renovation plan for it.
Set to cost £18million, around £7million is being awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
One of the main improvements will be five new buildings, including a new visitor centre, ticket office, cafe and education building
The grand entrance will be restored as well.
And other behind-the-scenes upgrades include improved walking routes, better drainage, more women’s toilets and a new gardeners buildings.
Planning has been submitted to Camden Council, with hopes the first phase will take place over the next five years.
But the full renovation could take as long as 25 years.
The charity‘s chief executive Dr Ian Dungavel said the new works were to prevent the 19th century grounds from “crumbling away” while keeping its “romantic decay”.
He added: “The planning application is an overall vision for the next 25 years.
“Not all of it is going to happen as soon as we have planning consent.
“At the moment, we have nowhere near enough money to do it all, but it gives a direction of travel.”
Current tourist can pay £10 for adults or £5 for kids to enter, or pay for guided tours of some of the famous graves including the Egyptian Avenue and Terrace Catacombs, with exclusive entry.
The attraction has ‘celeb maps’ to show visitors where the most famous graves are.
However, tourists are urged to remember it is still a working graveyard, and to act in a “quiet and orderly manner”.
Also on-site are a shop and small cafe serving some food and snacks.
Another famous cemetery is Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, which welcomed more than half a million people in 2022 and 2023.
Named one of the top free attractions in the country, it first opened in 1837.
Another unusual attraction in the UK is the Alnwick Gardens – which is home to 100 toxic plants.
Thankfully you can visit the gardens without going to The Poison Garden, which is locked and only open on guided tours.