In London, no one really has time for the dead: cemeteries have always been something to walk through or past on your way somewhere else. Now though, a revival (ah, irony) seems to be happening. A hearkening back to the mid-1800’s, when cemeteries became places of architecture, beauty and contemplation.
What makes them so attractive? With everybody piling into parks at the first sign of sun, it’s hard to find places that demand peace. Cemeteries are the silent carriage of the parks world. They’re also ideally suited to London worse weather. Walking round the eerie gothic tombs in the dark winter just works. With lots to see – fantastical sculptures, eerie mausoleums, famous residents and incredible tales – the once neglected necropolis is becoming the place for a reflective stroll, to seek silence, or simply walk your dog.
The Magnificent Seven
Highgate is the most famous and certainly worth visiting, but won’t feature on our list. Why? It’s the only cemetery of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ to have an entrance fee and compulsory tours in the West side. Not exactly a place to pop into for a peaceful dog walk.
Brompton
Brompton is actually a Royal Park, which makes it ideal for wandering in contemplation and peace. It’s most famous resident is Emmeline Pankhurst, but the show-stealer is the wonderful chapel rotunda.
Lesser known is the mysterious Courtoy Mauseoleum, a rather non-descript monument with a fabulous past. Rumour has it that this tomb is a time machine.
With the key to the brass doors long gone, the stories have taken further flight, and its vague resemblance to the TARDIS may not help matters… Brompton also has catacomb tours if you fancy delving a little deeper.
Kensal Green
Kensal Green was inspired by the famous Parisian burial ground, Pere Lachaise. It’s a truly beautiful place to walk, with 72 acres, conservation areas, a canal and wildlife. Its lucky the funerary architecture is there to remind you of its true purpose. It’s wonderfully multi-faith and is the final home of hundreds of famous Londoners. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Wilkie Collins, Harold Pinter, William Thackerey, Anthony Trollope… the list goes on. Head to Kensal to spend a bright morning visiting some greats and exploring London’s ultimate park of peace.
Abney Park
Abney Park is an all-time favourite. Why? Because it’s somehow in the midst of Stoke Newington High Street but an absolute world away. It’s like being transported into a gothic film set, where ivy and angels are the stars.
The whole place is made up of desire paths through the woods, where you’ll find people walking their dogs surrounded by monoliths and marble. Notable inmates include William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army.Its also relatively small, making it the perfect size for a reflective stroll.
West Norwood
West Norwood is said to hold the finest sepulchral architecture of them all, with a mass of Grade II listed buildings. It’s got amazing catacombs and is home to Sir Henry Tate, Isabella Beeton and William Marsden. It’s not as cultivated as Brompton, nor deliciously dilapidated as Abney, but it’s a bright and beautiful site to take silent stock in.
Tower Hamlets and Nunhead
The least known of the lot, Tower Hamlets and Nunhead have similar stories. They became nature reserves after years of neglect, with friends helping to renovate the cemeteries. Nunhead’s Chapel is utterly exquisite and there’s an incredible view straight to St Paul’s.
Tower Hamlets is a rambling, ramshackle park with inimitable beauty. It also hosts some phenomenal events, such as LIFT’s Circus in the cemetery. Spooky and spectacular.
Bunhill Fields and St. Pancras Gardens
Bunhill Fields and St. Pancras Gardens are the outsiders, but are beautiful sites. St Pancras holds the grave of architect John Soane; the design of this tomb gave rise to our renowned telephone boxes. Also check out the Hardy Tree growing in the graves. Bunhill is the resting place of William Blake and Daniel Defoe, as well as many non-conformists. While not as green and lush as St Pancras, it has the same calming presence in the middle of London, both ideal breaks from the bustling 9-5.
The post Stroll Through London’s Unsung Cemeteries appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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