Huff and puff up Highgate Hill
If you are a very keen cyclist, you may well have checked out the more challenging inclines in London. Although not known particularly for its hills, London does have some really tough climbs if riding a bike (or even walking for that matter!). And not surprisingly most of the steep hills are located in and around Haringey. If we take the London Cyclist as our guide, it suggests that Muswell Hill is probably the hardest in our area with an average gradient of 11%. But it is the steepness of Highgate Hill that we will be focusing on, at 0.9km long with an average gradient of 10% but peaking at an even tougher 12.9%.
From the collections and © Bruce Castle Museum & Archive
Back in 1780, these two ‘cits’ or City gentlemen were talked about for their very long trudge up Highgate Hill in this published satirical print. It would seem they are pounding up the hill as quickly as they can - raising dust clouds in the process whilst mopping their brows and head - to ensure they get to the tavern in time to claim their 18th century equivalent of a ‘meal deal’. The legend below says:
“ Two 3 Pounders in full speed to a Shilling Ordinary on Sunday.
From London to Highgate, behold the Array,
Of two Hearty Trenchermen now on the Way:
Three Pounds they'l devour besides Beer & Bread,
Who the Devil can feed them at Twelvepence a Head. “
We hope they got there. It would seem getting up Highgate Hill by whatever method or mode of transport posed a bit of a challenge, as you can see in another satirical print from 1785 of a couple toppling out of their carriage – view it here in the collections of the British Museum.
Jump to 1912 and in this view of Highgate Hill (below) you can just spot someone pushing their bike up the hill. But in the distance is a more dependable and easier mode of travel – a reassuring electric tram....................................