A Jewish cemetery in Dalston is being refurbished and will open to the public for the first time

Balls Pond Cemetery in Dalston held its final burial in 1951 and has been closed to the public ever since. The Victorian site, built in 1854, is a key part of British Jewish history yet has suffered decades of wear and tear. But that could all soon change, as Islington Council and West London Synagogue of British Jews (WLS) have been awarded a grant to kickstart a massive restoration of the site.  

The cemetery, which is owned by WLS, will undergo a £190,731 transformation, thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Work will soon begin to restore the nearly 200-year-old memorials to make it a key cultural and educational resource. 

As one of the most significant Jewish burial grounds in London, the site is the final resting place for over 1,000 people. Some of the most notable people include Amy Levy, the first Jewish woman at Cambridge Uni, Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, the co-founder of UCL, and James Joseph Sylvester, a maths whizz. 

The Grade II-listed site has remained untouched for decades, and apart from its prayer room (which was bombed in WWII) the majority of it is still intact. But overgrown grass, trees, and ivy branches need tending to, as well as its crumbling walls. Biodiversity research will also take place to better understand and improve the environment. 

Islington Council councillor Jenny Kay said: ‘We aim to revitalise the cemetery, engage the local community and bring attention to an often-overlooked part of British-Jewish history.

‘This project is not just about preservation - it’s about restoring a vital community asset and ensuring the site becomes a resource that benefits all communities.’

It is not known how long the makeover will take, but you can keep in the loop with its progress on the Balls Pond Cemetery website here.

Find out more about seven historic UK sites being rejuvenated with £27 million from the National Lottery Fund.

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