WHY I LOVE HIGHGATE
WHY I LOVE HIGHGATE
Rudolph Diesel is the head of London interior design company Rudolph Diesel Interiors. In this article, he describes areas of London that have earned a special place in his heart.
Love to look at
Did you know there is a ‘magnificent seven’ of cemeteries in the city of London and Highgate is one of them? While it may sound macabre to recommend a day out among the dead, Highgate Cemetery is a fascinating must-see and the burial place of many famous people, including Karl Marx and George Michael. The area is heavily wooded for a mystical backdrop and the memorials rather elaborate – many in an imposing Victorian Gothic style. A guided tour is the best way to explore the extensive cemetery, ensuring you don’t get lost among the graves.
Love to shop
Interior designers like me gravitate to Wolff & Grace, flooring experts on Highgate Hill. The team has a real eye for fine detail and stays on top of current trends, so choosing carpet and tiles is a breeze. From floors to florals and fruit! Greens of Highgate is the finest purveyor of flowers and seasonal produce in N6. Its irresistible bouquets and fruit-bowl favourites are essential if you’re putting the finishing touches to a high end interior design. And finally to food. Superette is a supermarket with a difference. Head to its Swain’s Lane store for limited edition, hard-to-find and exclusive food products, from Korean sauces and gins to bone broth and ice cream. Every product is pantry perfect so fill your basket if you like to display your wares.
Love to eat
Highgate is a great place to head if you’re hungry. Bournes is a brilliant fishmonger by day but it’s an even better seafood bar at night. Pop in after 6pm for oysters, lobster, langoustines and crab, washed down with something crisp and cold. The Bull is arguably Highgate’s best bar and dining room where even the snacks are outstanding. Find me deliberating over oyster mushroom tempura, artichoke crostini and gordal olives. The venue has recently been revamped, so expect a fresh luxury interior design. If you’re in N6 on a flying visit, spare 20 minutes for a pitstop at Coffee Delights. From turmeric lattes to iced teas, there’s a wide range of reviving drinks and a host of pastries for a sugar fix. Personal favourite? The just-set pastel de nata.