The cost of admission to Highgate Cemetery is set to rise for the first time in six years next month as prices are streamlined.

The price of visiting the East Cemetery is to go up for the first time since 2007, increasing by £1 to £4 for over-18s. But the entrance fee will now include a map, meaning there is effectively no rise in price.

Accompanied under-18s, friends and grave-owners can still enter the cemetery in Swain’s Lane for free.

The cost of tours in the East Cemetery will also go up by £1 for both adults and children, to £8 and £4 respectively.

The cost of West Cemetery tours will rise for the first time since 2009 from £7 to £12 for adults and from £3 to £6 for children - but this will now include the cost of entry to the East Cemetery and a map.

The biggest blow will be for students who now have to pay full price - a decision taken in line with the policy of the National Trust, the UK’s largest conservation charity.

Trustee Peter Knight said it was hoped the changes would “get rid of some of the anomalies” and “take away the feeling of being two separate cemeteries”.