Kensal Green Cemetery

Kensal Green Cemetery is an extensive burial ground in north London with numerous monuments, mausoleums and graves along paths lined by old trees and well-kept gardens. The roughly 72-acre site combines different types of burial plots with landscaped areas into a quiet place between residential neighborhoods.

The cemetery was established in 1833 by George Frederick Carden following the model of Parisian Père Lachaise and became the first commercial burial ground in London. Its success led to the creation of similar sites across the city as older churchyards in the center became overcrowded.

The three chapels on the grounds were built for Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic burials and divide the area into separate sections following old confessional traditions. This spatial arrangement by faith shows how deeply religious differences shaped social life in Victorian London.

The main entrance is located on Harrow Road and leads to wide paths that make orientation straightforward. The grounds are mostly level and can be explored on foot in any weather, though some areas are only accessible across grass.

The cemetery is home to 33 bird species that find food and shelter among the old trees and open spaces. Around 250,000 people have been buried here in roughly 65,000 graves, including many members of British nobility.

Location: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Location: London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Inception: 1832

Website: http://kensalgreencemetery.com

GPS coordinates: 51.52860,-0.22410

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:06