The Gatehouse is a public house in Highgate, London, located at a road junction where Highgate High Street, West Hill, North Hill and Hampstead Lane converge close to Pond Square. It stands on the site of the oldest recorded structure in Highgate Village. A toll road was constructed in the early fourteenth century and an arched gateway was constructed under which all passing had to pay. [1] This gave its name to the area. [2]
It was one of five taverns recorded in Highgate in 1552[3] It became associated with the tradition of Swearing on the Horns for travellers passing through when it was one of the principal approach roads leading to London. However, business suffered with the construction of Archway Road by Thomas Telford and John Nash'sArchway Bridge across it in 1813 which meant that much of the traffic now bypassed Highgate.[4][5]