London is one of the world’s most historic cities, and it is not without its unique and fascinating spaces. As you might expect from a place with so much history, it also contains a wealth of Eerie yet beautiful cemeteries, many of which can be explored freely by visitors.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of our favourites…
Highgate Cemetery
Noted for its extensive and elaborate architecture, Highgate Cemetery is beautiful to look at, yet also provides a spooky look at the past. Referred to by locals as ‘Victorian Valhalla’, the first burial here took place in 1839, and during the intervening two decades more than 10,000 people were buried within its grounds.
A rapid expansion followed, as more and more people wished to be buried in this stunning space. There were around 17 acres at the time Highgate Cemetery first appeared, and an additional 20 were added in 1860.
One of the most notable figures to be buried at Highgate Cemetery was Karl Marx, the famed German philosopher. His grave is easily identified thanks to the tributes which surround it and the bust located on the top of his gravestone.
The true heyday of Highgate Cemetery ended at the start of the 19th century, after which a gradual decline began and people began to crave less ostentatious funerals, favouring small-scale gatherings instead of the large scale affairs which had characterised many burials previously.
There is abundant wildlife around the cemetery, including large trees, wild flowers and around 30 species of bird. Small animals such as foxes are still regular visitors, particularly at the Egyptian Avenue, built around 150 years ago by architect Stephen Geary.
During your stay at the Montcalm, a visit here will help you to connect with London’s recent history in a vivid and authentic way, thanks largely to the preservation efforts of The Friends of Highgate Cemetery, who first took charge of maintenance in 1975.
Barnes Common Cemetery
This cemetery, sometimes referred to as Barnes Old Cemetery, is no longer in use, but has major appeal for anyone eager to explore one of the city’s creepiest yet most beautiful spots.Much of the area is now being reclaimed by nature, but you can still see headstones and memorials peeking out from between trees and grassland.
Situated in Richmond-Upon-Thames, most people visiting the local area probably have no idea Barnes Common Cemetery is even there – it is so well hidden from sight that its easy to imagine people passing by in a car or playing tennis at the nearby green could miss it altogether.
While a trip to a cemetery may not be the obvious choice for a London trip after enjoying more conventional events such as afternoon tea for two, it is a great way to experience something new.
We recommend Barnes Common Cemetery thanks to its rich historical and mythological links, which include former sighting of Victorian bogeyman Spring Heeled Jack, who three girls claimed had attacked them while passing through the district in 1837.
In addition, the area was once noted for its isolated footpaths and roads, leading to many criminal incidents involving highwaymen and robberies.
The first cemetery in this space opened in 1854, as local churchyards were already filled. A railway nearby had caused rapid growth in the number of residents, with homes built to accommodate workers and commuters during the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Amongst the most notable people to be commemorated here are numerous casualties of the First World War, with tributes to servicemen receiving particular attention.
Kensal Green
This cemetery is one of seven located around London’s edges, known locally as ‘the Magnificent Seven’. They were built to help support London’s booming population in the 1800s.
Kensal Green was developed in 1832, and covers more than 72 acres. It includes three chapels which cater to all faiths, and acts as the final resting place of some of London’s most famous figures, including late tea tycoon Richard Twining, W.H. Smith (founder of the newsagent) and British Army surgeon James Barry, who was discovered after death to have been a woman.
The architecture includes an array of mausoleums, with Gothic touches present everywhere you look. This is the ideal place to get to know more about London before heading to Marble Arch restaurants.
Brompton Cemetery
This cemetery was built in 1840 and based architecturally on features found within St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. As such, design features mimic the feel of a cathedral, making for a visually appealing place to visit while you make the most of spa weekend deals in the city.
It includes more than 35,000 monuments, including perhaps most prominently the grave of Emmeline Pankhurst, a major figure in the fight for women’s suffrage. In addition, here you’ll find a monument dedicated to Sotheby’s founder Samuel Leigh Sotheby.
The cemetery has been featured in countless films produced in London, including everything from Sherlock Holmes to Johnny English. Key features include tree-lined avenues and a domed chapel formed from stone.
Nunhead Cemetery
One of the least famous cemeteries in London, Nunhead Cemetery is nonetheless beautiful and more than a little eerie, with a wide range of different monuments and gravestones encompassing everything from lavish tributes to the wealthy or the influential, to more simplistic gravestones providing a final resting place for ordinary working people.
Today, it is also a haven for local wildlife, and has become a notable nature reserve. You’ll find abundant greenery throughout the cemetery, which has helped it become a key site of the Metropolitan Importance for Wildlife organisation.
Bunhill Fields
This cemetery has a name which originates from its original title, ‘Bone Hill’. According to legend, the area was once used as a space to place human bones, before the cemetery was developed in 1665.
At the time of its founding, Bunhill Fields was unique, as it allowed anyone to be buried here regardless of their religion. As a result, it acquired a reputation as the burial ground of choice for nonconformist Londoners, including Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe and writer William Blake.
