The Catacombs and Terrace in Highgate (Western) Cemetery
THE CATACOMBS AND TERRACE IN HIGHGATE (WESTERN) CEMETERY, SWAINS LANE
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1378923
- Date first listed:
- 14-May-1974
- List Entry Name:
- The Catacombs and Terrace in Highgate (Western) Cemetery
- Statutory Address:
- THE CATACOMBS AND TERRACE IN HIGHGATE (WESTERN) CEMETERY, SWAINS LANE
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2005-03-15
- Reference:
- IOE01/14021/08
- Rights:
- © Mr Anthony Rau. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1378923
- Date first listed:
- 14-May-1974
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 11-Jan-1999
- List Entry Name:
- The Catacombs and Terrace in Highgate (Western) Cemetery
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE CATACOMBS AND TERRACE IN HIGHGATE (WESTERN) CEMETERY, SWAINS LANE
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE CATACOMBS AND TERRACE IN HIGHGATE (WESTERN) CEMETERY, SWAINS LANE
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Greater London Authority
- District:
- Camden (London Borough)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ 28323 87163
Details
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
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 478284
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
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