LONDON, |
Photos © Ruud Leeuw
The 'Magnificent Seven' is an informal term applied to seven large cemeteries in London. They were established in the 19th century to alleviate overcrowding in existing parish burial grounds. A newspaper article raised my interest and of course I had to visit all seven of them. Kensal Green cemetery was the first one, within walking distance of our accommodation in Westminster.
Kensal Green Cemetery on Wikipedia |
In the first 50 years of the 19th century the population of London more than doubled from 1 million to 2.3 million. Overcrowded graveyards also led to decaying matter getting into the water supply and causing epidemics. There were stories of graves being dug that already contained bodies, and bodies being flushed directly into the newly built sewer system. Next is Brompton cemetery.
Brompton Cemetery on Wikipedia |
The grounds of West Norwood Cemetery are a mixture of historic monumental cemetery and modern lawn cemetery, but it also has catacombs, cremation plots and a columbarium for cinery ashes. The cemetery's crematorium still operates, and cremation plots are still available, but all the conventional burial plots have been allocated and hence it is closed to new burials pending further agreement under current burial legislation.
West Norwood Cemetery on Wikipedia |
Nunhead Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries, but it has been said it is perhaps the least famous and celebrated of them. But I came to like it best. The cemetery is located in the Nunhead area of southern London and was originally known as All Saints' Cemetery. Nunhead Cemetery was consecrated in 1840 and opened by the London Necropolis Company. It is a Local Nature Reserve and is more of a forest than a landscaped park. It was here in fact that I came face to face with a fox, at 17:00 in the afternoon - alas it was gone before I could consider taking a photograph!
Nunhead Cemetery on Wikipedia |
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a closed, historic cemetery located in the East End of London. The cemetery opened in 1841 and closed for burials in 1966. It is now a nature reserve, and other land has been added to the park, including 'Scrapyard Meadow'. It was originally named 'The City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery' but was called Bow Cemetery by locals.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery on Wikipedia |
Abney Park is a historic parkland, originally laid out in the early 18th century by Lady Mary Abney and Dr. Isaac Watts, and the neighbouring Hartopp family. In 1840 it became a non-denominational garden cemetery, a semi-public park arboretum, and an educational institute, which was widely celebrated as an example of its time. A total of 196,843 burials had taken place there as of the year 2000. It is a Local Nature Reserve.
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Highgate Cemetery is designated Grade I on 'the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest' in England.
Highgate Cemetery on Wikipedia |
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