Della Farrant 
I have recently been in contact with an ex-pat now living in California; a professional sketch artist by the name of Pete Scully. Pete hails from Hornsey Lane, Highgate, and gets very homesick. Fortunately however, whilst he was still in Blighty, Pete filled dozens of sketchbooks with some amazing representations of Highgate. His art really … Read more
Incase you haven’t heard, a new movie set and filmed in Queens Wood and other parts of Highgate, has just been completed. Directed by John Mackie and starring Dexter Fletcher, ‘Coven’ promises to be a rather formulaic fright flick, replete with screaming teenage girls legend-tripping at night in a location known locally as at best … Read more
The ‘Hornsey Coal Poltergeist’ is perhaps one of the lesser known ‘extreme’ hauntings of the twentieth century. Like the disturbing manifestations on the Hillcrest Estate, which is situated just one mile south west in Highgate, the Hornsey ‘ghost’ chose a seemingly innocuous suburban housing development when it allegedly began tormenting the Frost family in January … Read more
After the indulgence of hog roast and mulled wine, ballet dancers and celebrity guests at yesterday’s Highgate Christmas Festival in Pond Square, it would be easy to sleep through most of Mitzvah Day, being gently lulled out of one’s hangover by memories of Highgate’s ‘beautiful people’, surrounded by a haze of twinkling lights. But Mitzvah … Read more
What does Guy Fawkes’ Night – the 5th of November – mean to Hampstead and Highgate? And did Guy Fawkes’ gang really plan to watch London burn from Parliament Hill? Well, I didn’t see any harm in it, so I bought a mask for the child and gave it him, and delighted he was; … Read more
I knew it was coming, but didn’t want to tempt fate by mentioning it in advance. But as it is now in newsagents – and was on the front page of the Hampstead and Highgate Express’ on Hallowe’en itself – here it is. An interview with yours truly, about my forthcoming book Haunted Highgate, and … Read more
I actually popped down to Swains Lane last night (Hallowe’en) against all my own advice to others. Yes, I am very ashamed of myself and have chastised myself appropriately ever since. But my reason for going there was that I wanted to see for myself exactly what if any disturbance was going on, just on … Read more
Mal’s not just for Hallowe’en! Many Highgate Villagers – and some visitors – will be aware of the strange deathly neighbour who smiles down at them seemingly in perpetuity from his window in South Grove. Affectionately nicknamed “Mal”, this underfed resident has been hanging round for years, despite his home changing hands several times. Who … Read more
In the 15th century, a black mass allegedly took place in Highgate which could have altered the history of the monarchy today. Today the site of this rite, where wax figures of the king are said to have been melted in the fire, is a harmless golf course. But why was Highgate chosen as the … Read more