Bolton Street Memorial Park

Bolton Street Memorial Park is a colonial cemetery in Thorndon containing over 1,300 monuments and gravestones distributed across sloping hillsides. Interconnected walking paths and garden areas guide visitors through the different sections.

Founded in 1840 as Wellington's first burial ground, the cemetery served different faith communities with separate sections for Anglican, Jewish, and public burials. Changes to the landscape came during the 1960s when motorway construction affected the site.

The site displays heritage roses from colonial times, showing how early European settlers recreated familiar gardens in this new land. These historic plants still grow here today and connect visitors to the settlement period.

Signposted trails start at each entrance and guide visitors through the grounds while explaining notable individuals and monuments. The hilly terrain requires comfortable walking shoes and steady footing in places.

A vault beneath the Early Settlers Memorial Lawn holds remains that were relocated during the 1960s motorway construction. This hidden chapter reveals how the expanding city worked around the burial ground while preserving it.