Egyptian Avenue, Highgate Cemetery

B and I went on a guided tour of the magnificent west side of Highgate Cemetery this afternoon.  Designed and built in the Victorian period when everything Egyptian was very fashionable, the avenue leads to a sunken circular path with access to family vaults and mausoleums.  The avenue was built to impress, with huge decorative pillers flanking the entrance. The vaults were dug out of the hillside and encircle the huge Lebanon Cedar tree which stands in the middle of the circle of vaults, towering over them, and at that time was a landmark that could be seen for miles around!

The cemetery is now looked after by 'The Friends of Highgate Cemetery', many of whom are volunteers who work hard to keep this wonderful place (which is also a haven for wildlife) open to the public).

A fascinating and most interesting day.