Paddington Old Cemetery, Victorian cemetery in Willesden Lane, London Borough of Brent, England
Paddington Old Cemetery is a Victorian burial ground on Willesden Lane in Brent covering 24 acres with two Gothic-style chapels and tree-lined paths throughout. The graves and monuments are arranged in a horseshoe pattern designed by architect Thomas Little.
The cemetery was established in 1855 by the Paddington Burial Board to handle burial needs as London's population grew, with land purchased in the then-rural Willesden area. Brent Council took over management from Westminster in 1986.
The cemetery is named after the original Paddington area and attracts visitors interested in Victorian burial customs visible through the inscriptions and styles of the gravestones. The site reflects how 19th-century Londoners commemorated their dead through ornate monuments and epitaphs.
The grounds are open to visitors interested in walking through the site and exploring the graves and monuments at their own pace. Wear sturdy shoes as the paths and grass areas can be uneven, particularly after rain.
The site maintains an apiary where bees pollinate plants growing among the historical graves and monuments while producing honey. This project connects preservation of the space with sustainable environmental practices.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
