Histon Road Cemetery, Victorian cemetery in north Cambridge, England
Histon Road Cemetery is a Victorian burial ground in north Cambridge covering one hectare with over 3,500 burial spaces arranged in a grid pattern. The site is connected by paths linking Histon Road to Victoria Road, creating a structured layout across the grounds.
The cemetery was designed in 1843 by John Claudius Loudon, a prominent Victorian garden designer who created only three cemetery designs in England. This makes it one of his rare commissions in the burial ground field, showcasing his distinctive approach to landscape planning.
The site was created by the Nonconformist community to provide burial space for people of all faiths, a progressive move at the time. Visitors can observe how graves from different religious traditions sit side by side, reflecting this commitment to acceptance.
Although the cemetery is closed for new burials, Cambridge City Council allows the interment of ashes in existing family graves through their Bereavement Services. Visitors with limited time should plan their visit in daylight hours, as the structured pathways make navigation straightforward but the grounds cover significant ground.
William Bell, who conducted the initial survey of the land, became the cemetery's first burial. His sister Alice later inspired the naming of Alice Springs in Australia, creating an unexpected global connection to this quiet Cambridge site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
