Nunhead Cemetery
written by janette
on May 9th, 2008
(0 votes)
Nunhead Cemetery in South East London is, without doubt, one of London’s best kept secrets. It is probably the least known, but one of the most attractive, of the great Victorian Cemeteries in London. Originally known as "All Saints’ Cemetery’ it was opened by the London Cemetery Company and consecrated in 1840. It is one of seven large cemeteries established around the outskirts of London in the Victorian era and is the second largest covering some 50 acres of land near Southwark.
It contains examples of the magnificent monuments erected in memory of the most eminent citizens of the day. In its heyday the rich paid huge amounts of money for the privilege of being buried in such a fashionable location. The funerals and the memorials of the rich were incredibly ostentatious in those days and these memorials contrast sharply with the small simple headstones marking common, or public, burials.
Among the many interesting folk buried at Nunhead are a Scotsman who became an explorer in Africa, another who fought in the American Civil War, a French Huguenot Marquis, a cavalryman who rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade and lived to tell the tale, heroes who fought in the battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo and a gallant airman who lost his life chasing an enemy Zepplin across London’s skies and many more.
Just a short stroll from the hustle and bustle of the busy city streets, the cemetery is a haven for wild life and offers a peaceful and tranquil place for a reflective walk. Part of the Cemetery is now a nature reserve, supporting a diverse range of both native and exotic plants. Many species of butterfly can be found there and the wooded area provides nesting sites for woodpeckers, warblers and jays. The history, architecture and stunning views from the cemetery make it a fascinating place to visit. Much of it is overgrown and mysterious, but there are good paths and many of its important features have been lovingly restored.
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