The magnificent cemeteries of London

Probably London’s most famous cemetery, Highgate’s graveyard offering bags of high Victorian atmosphere, Grade II-listed catacombs and illustrious headstones. It’s split into two sections, the east (which includes a towering monument to Karl Marx) and the west (the final resting place of popstar George Michael, among others) where you can book a guided tour. You’ll have to splash out for a ticket to this one (£6 for just the east part, £10 for both) but you’ll be rewarded with the chance to hobnob with north London’s latest and greatest.

Opened in 1840, Abney Park is one of London’s so-called ‘Magnificent Seven’ – a ring of seven graveyards built around the capital in response to the booming population. They were green-lighted by the government in the early eighteenth century in order to stop body-snatching, grave-overcrowding and other dodgy goings-on. Most fell into disrepair, but recent conservation efforts and community groups are shaking up the way Londoners use the spaces. This means nowadays you’ll find a lively events calendar at Abney Park with nature walks and historical talks about some of its dear departed residents. 

Another of London’s Magnificent Seven, Nunhead Cemetery is well worth the pilgrimage to south-east London for. Attend one of the woodland tree walks, head to an open-air concert in the derelict stone chapel, or tour the graves of famous poets. 

Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and public health pioneer Dr John Snow are among the most notable residents at this grand Grade I-listed cemetery. One of London’s Magnificent Seven, this graveyard has 39 acres of peaceful open space to explore. The Friends of Brompton Cemetery make sure the cemetery chapel has a packed events calendar, offering everything from candle-lit concerts to gardening. Look out for its annual Month of the Dead celebrations every October full of eccentrically macabre events. 

Everything from film festivals to creative writing workshops take place in this qMagnificent Seven graveyard brought back to life thanks to a backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Join a guided tour on the first Sunday of the month for impressive mausoleums and striking gothic revival architecture. 

For an informative self-guided tour pick up the Tower Hamlets heritage trail and weave through beautiful monuments and fascinating stories of the people buried at this graveyard, one of London’s Magnificent Seven. The cemetery is also home to a nature reserve, which is looked after lovingly by The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Volunteer to help them maintain the park, or hit up one of their many events which range from guided bat and dusk chorus bird walks to knitting and pottery workshops. 

Hidden away in Hyde Park – right by the Victoria Gate entrance and the Victoria Lodge – this curious little spot is great place to swing by for a flavour of Victorian London. The cemetery actually came about by accident when Cherry, a maltese terrier, was buried in the grounds of the park lodge at the request of her family, who had befriended a park gatekeeper back in 1881. A couple of more wealthy Londoners followed suit, and by 1903 when the cemetery closed, 300 graves had been placed in the spot. The cemetery is open to the public as part of guided tours. Look out for the next available tour in the park’s website. 

This small cemetery has been run by the same family since it was founded in 1875, and it still offers burials and cremations to Londoners. Its most well-known residents include Annie Chapman, the second victim of serial killer Jack the Ripper. 

This historic east London burial ground was originally designed as a nonconformist burial ground for political or religious rebels. It’s a place steeped in history, with a monument honouring ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ author John Bunyan, an obelisk honouring ‘Robinson Crusoe’ scribe Daniel Defoe, and the painter and poet William Blake. 

Open since 1884, this council-run cemetery is still very much in use, frequented by people both visiting graves and looking for peace and quiet. Amongst the memorials, you’ll spot The Kray twins, the notorious East End gangsters depicted in Tom Hardy film ‘Legend’ and 1990 biopic ‘The Krays’.