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Nunhead was the last of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries we visited, but it is not the least. It’s a beautiful, very popular cemetery that’s still active and has a crematorium. It’s also adjacent to West Norwood high street, which no doubt creates a bit of extra footfall.
West Norwood Cemetery
Like Nunhead Cemetery, West Norwood was established as one of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, which were created in the 1830s to alleviate the crisis of London’s overcrowded churchyards.
A Brief History
It officially opened in 1837 as the South Metropolitan Cemetery. Renowned architect Sir William Tite, also a director of the cemetery company, designed West Norwood with landscaped grounds and a focus on grand Gothic Revival architecture. This style reflected a Victorian shift in attitudes towards death.
West Norwood Cemetery quickly became a fashionable burial place for wealthy and influential Victorians. Notables buried here include sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate (founder of the Tate Gallery), pottery pioneer Sir Henry Doulton, and Dr William Marsden, founder of the Royal Marsden Hospital. West Norwood’s 42 acres contain a fascinating mix of elaborate mausoleums, Greek Revival monuments, Celtic crosses, and simpler gravestones, all set amidst pathways and mature trees. It also housed initially both Anglican and Dissenters’ chapels.
Like many of its counterparts, the cemetery faced a decline in the mid-20th century. In 1965, Lambeth Council took over management. The Friends of West Norwood Cemetery formed in the 1990s, starting an active restoration and preservation programme. Today, West Norwood Cemetery stands as a testament to the Victorian era, showcasing the era’s architectural tastes and notable figures. It has a rich history and ongoing conservation by the council and volunteer groups.
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)
- Nunhead (read our guide to visiting Nunhead Cemetery)
- Tower Hamlets (read our guide to visiting Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park)
West Norwood Cemetery Famous Graves
West Norwood has some famous graves, with some of the residents being household names, including Tate, Dolland and Doulton:
- Sir Henry Tate – millionaire sugar maker and philanthropist who provided funding for the first Tate Gallery
- Sir Joseph Barnaby – composer and organist at the Royal Albert Hall whose funeral service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral
- John George Appold – an engineer and inventor who created the centrifugal pump and a brake to lower telegraph cables into the sea for the first Transatlantic cable.
- George Dollond – optical instrument maker whose family firm became Dollond & Aitchison.
- Sir Henry Doulton – a pottery manufacturer who you will better know as Royal Doulton
Practical Information
📍 West Norwood Cemetery, Norwood Rd, Norwood, London, SE27 9JU
💷 Free
🕙 See the website for opening times
📞 0207 926 7999
West Norwood Cemetery Tours
The Friends of West Norwood Cemetery offer tours of the cemetery. They usually run on Sundays, last around 1.5 hours, and are free, although donations can be made.
Head to Eventbrite to see the latest cemetery tours and events.
West Norwood Cemetery Photos
Search Quieries & FAQs
Is West Norwood Cemetery worth visiting?
Yes, the cemetery is worth visiting. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries. It’s small, has an interesting landscape and is close to a bustling high street, which adds to its appeal.
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