Hillcrest has been in the news quite a bit recently because of Haringey Council’s decision not to carry out much needed maintenance work. This has has left parts of the estate despairing of ever receiving vital repairs. But when it was first conceived, the estate was considered a model achievement in the realms of social housing. Located slightly north of old Highgate village Hillcrest, which was built in 1948 as a pioneering post-war housing development, is situated on a large mound. Known as the Bulwarks, this hulking prominence was formerly the site of a brewery, a possible Napoleonic-era fortification, and Park House mansion which during the Victorian era operated as an ‘Asylum for Idiots’ and as a home for ‘fallen women’. Christina Rossetti, sister-in-law of Lizzie Siddal who was famously disinterred from her grave in Highgate Cemetery in 1869, did charity work here for many years and it is this experience which may have inspired her famous poem Goblin Market.
Falling sharply away to the north, the hill top is almost the highest point in London. Appropriately, this heavily haunted estate was used as a filming location for the 2004 cult zombie film ‘Shaun of the Dead’.
But there’s nothing funny about a horror film you can’t turn off. At least four separate households have complained about strange disturbances in their flats at night, and of being plagued by an entity which seems to come at go as it pleases with no regard for walls, doors or windows.
Kenny Frewin, a friend of this author, remembers life on the estate during the 1970s. Kenny is a down to earth man, but he found it hard to laugh off the claims of the kids on the estate that a tall black shape with a ‘nasty face’ was gliding across the grassy banks and through the walls of the blocks – when the adults started seeing it too.
As people on the estate began talking amongst themselves about what they were experiencing, it became clear that many of them were being woken up at night with a feeling of dread and the sensation that something was in the room with them – or worse – on their bed. Strange banging noises, doorbells that still rang with the batteries removed, dark silhouettes at fifth floor windows and pets and babies staring transfixed at invisible forms seemed to have become the norm at Hillcrest. Parents felt helpless as the assailant left their children screaming at night, families huddled together in their living rooms for protection and single women were reduced to hysteric panic upon finding a strange man in their bedrooms. These intimidating patterns continued at least until the 1990s, perhaps they are still happening today.
You can read a full account of the experiences of the Goodchild family – just one family who eventually packed up and moved to get away from this spectral harassment – here.
Is the nocturnal intruder the ghost of a corrupt and bullying warden from the days when the House of Mercy stood on the site? Or is it something altogether less human? It has certainly affected much of the estate with a sense of preternatural dread at various times. We will probably never know, but its height, general appearance and behaviour are reminiscent of the same entity which stalks Swains Lane and Highgate Cemetery. Could they be one and the same?
Have you had a frightening encounter at Hillcrest? If so, please feel free to share it below.
I lived there a short while does anyone remember the name Marilyn Mendez-Ward or Raymand Mendez-Ward or Marsha? We was Caribbean family from Trinidad and Trinidad. I went to a school in Highgate we where green and grey uniforms . I was born I Whittington hospital if I remember correctly 😁
I was brought up living in the estate from 1983. My mum and brother still live there. We were the first Indian family to live there. When growing up me and my sister used to play outside. During that time there was a cage and we all kids used to play in there. The cage was removed now stands as a car park. We used to ride our cycle down the black torgh we all used to call it. We had lovely times growing up in the estate. It brings back my childhood memories when I visit my family who are still residents there.
Hi Deborah we loved your Dad he was very nice to us but he was also a no nonsense man. My Dad Brian, Kenny and your Dad Harry all knew each other. Those were the days. As I have said before my memories of hanging out in the grounds was great. We use to play rounders, climb trees and sheds…hang out in the sheds and when it was hot hang out in the trees. Best wishes to you and your family. Anita
Dear Annie it’s Anita, Ashley’s sister. We had some great times growing on the estate. Your Mum was such a strong woman. Hope you are all well. Best wishes Anita x
I lived on the estate from age 4, 1962 until 1980s – a group of us made up stories in the summer holidays scaring ourselves – I hate to be the bearer of bad news BUT NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. Harry the Caretake omg what memories – him chasing people off the land – no one was ever allowed in, and I don’t think he wanted them out either – lol
I also grew up in Hillcrest Estate and wish my mother was alive to read this article, very interesting. I remember complaining that someone was at my window at night, as if i seeing things. Im not sure if someone died in my bedroom or did my mother hear rumors that Hillcrest was haunted. I think we were told that the flats were built on a cemetery or something to that effect.
I grew up on this estate with the Goodchilds and Frewin’s my dad was the caretaker.In the 70’s
Hi Deborah, was that when Harry was the caretaker, and was he your dad? Kenny mentioned Harry and his wife just the other day on the phone. I’ll drop you an email if you don’t mind. Thanks for commenting!