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Nunhead Cemetery was the sixth of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries we visited. It feels more spacious and less grand than the other cemeteries. Maybe that’s why it’s less famous than some of the other cemeteries, but that doesn’t make it any less appealing. Surprisingly, Nunhead is the second largest of London’s Magnificent Seven cemeteries, covering some 52 acres, and there are almost 270,000 people buried there.
Nunhead Cemetery
As you head up the main path, you will notice the impressive chapel at the end. Bullt in the Gothic Revival style and designed by Thomas Little in 1844, it was damaged by arson in the 1970s. Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, in 1999, the structure and crypt below were made safe and accessible, and railings and monuments were repaired.
There are a few other points to see in the cemetery, including the Scouts Memorial, four war memorials, the Scottish Martyrs monument, and the view of St Paul’s Cathedral, which pokes through some trees, as shown in the photos at the bottom of the post.
A Brief History
In the early 19th century, London’s overcrowded churchyards led Parliament to authorise the creation of large, privately owned cemeteries outside the city’s limits. Nunhead Cemetery, originally named All Saints’ Cemetery, opened in July 1840 as one of these “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries.
It was designed with grand avenues and imposing monuments, reflecting the Victorian era’s views on death and memory. Nunhead swiftly became a prestigious burial place for prominent figures of Victorian society. However, by the mid-20th century, the cemetery began to decline, with its chapels suffering bomb damage in World War II and the managing company facing financial straits.
In 1969, the cemetery closed. Ownership was transferred to Southwark Council after local residents with family interred here campaigned. The 1970s saw the formation of the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery (FONC), a volunteer group instrumental in the cemetery’s revitalisation. Today, Nunhead Cemetery is a fascinating blend of history, nature, and ongoing restoration efforts, with its weathered monuments creating a unique and atmospheric green space within London.
If you’re wondering what the other Magnificent Seven cemeteries are, they are:
- Abney Park (read our guide to visiting Abney Park Cemetery)
- Brompton (read our guide to visiting Brompton Cemetery)
- Highgate (read our guide to visiting Highgate Cemetery)
- Kensal Green (read our guide to visiting Kensal Green Cemetery)
- Tower Hamlets (read our guide to visiting Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park)
- West Norwood (read our guide to visiting West Norwood Cemetery)
Nunhead Cemetery Famous Graves
Of all the Magnificent Seven cemeteries, it’s fair to say Nunhead has the least famous residents. When researching the site for famous graves, it was hard to find anyone we knew. We didn’t find anyone we knew. But below are some names you might recognise:
- Sir Frederick Abel – co-inventor of Cordite
- Robert Abel – England test cricketer
- George John Bennett – English Shakespearian actor
- William Brough – writer and playwright
- Joseph Lemuel Chester – American genealogist, poet and editor
- Bryan Donkin – the engineer who developed the food-canning process and a paper-making machine
Practical Information
📍 Nunhead Cemetery, Linden Grove, London, SE15 3LP
💷 Free
🕙 Open daily from 0830. Check the website for closing times – they change throughout the seasons
📞 0207 525 5600
Nunhead Cemetery Tours
You can take a tour of the cemetery. Tours last about an hour and a half to two hours and are free to join, although the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery accept donations. See the tour page for the latest time and dates.
Nunhead Cemetery Photos
Search Quieries & FAQs
Is Nunhead Cemetery worth visiting?
Yes, it’s worth a visit. It’s a peaceful place, a little off the beaten path, and quieter than some other cemeteries, making it a more attractive alternative to visit than others.
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