A local’s guide to the most beautiful cemeteries in London to visit, places to discover in the autumn in London, and spooky spots filled with sculptures!
Cemeteries are one my favorite places to visit in London in the fall; that’s when they’re at their spookiest, and the many statues you can find there become almost alive with the golden hour sunlight.
London is namely home to the Seven Magnificent, seven Victorian cemeteries that were established on the outskirts of the city when the city’s churchyards started becoming too crowded.
In addition to these Seven Magnificent, the most famous of which being Highgate Cemetery in North London, you also have lots of church gardens around the city.
Most are still cemeteries, alongside smaller graveyards that have been turned into secret gardens, and all are worth visiting.
Beautiful Cemeteries in London: 11 Best Spots To Visit
Should you have read a few of my guides on The Working Line, you may have noticed that I’m all about historical sites and, in general, London’s past.
I love visiting historical neighborhoods that have been forgotten by tourists and many locals.
I love spending time at vintage cafes and rustic bakeries, wandering London’s lost alleys, that kind of thing.
If you enjoy old places of the like, London’s cemeteries definitely are spots you should have on your bucket list!
Best Cemeteries in London: St Katharine’s Greek Orthodox Church, Friern Barnet
St Katharine’s Greek Orthodox Church is located up North in Friern Barnet, a short walk away from North Finchley, a neighborhood I lived in for quite some time.
This church used to be called St James the Great, a Church of English parish dating back to at least the 12th century – London’s medieval churches are many, but this one is overly beautiful, with its pastel blue front and original Norman door.
In 2009, the church became home to the local Greek Orthodox community, and is now known as St Katharine’s, whose attached cemetery is one of the smallest and quaintest in London.
Best Cemeteries in London: Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green is one of the most well-known cemeteries in London. It opened in 1833 and was inspired by Père Lachaise in Paris.
You’ll find it near Queen’s Park, along the canal, with 72 acres of space and a mix of big mausoleums and smaller graves.
There’s a strong Gothic feel here, with tall monuments and heavy stone details everywhere, and it’s also a peaceful spot for birds and wildlife, and still an active cemetery today.
It’s been used in films and shows too, and if you’re into Dark Academia architecture, this one’s a must-see.
Best Cemeteries in London: West Norwood Cemetery
West Norwood, originally called the South Metropolitan Cemetery, was the first Gothic-style cemetery in the world and one of the original Magnificent Seven.
It opened in 1837 and there, you’ll find Victorian catacombs, a large Greek Orthodox section filled with ornate mausoleums, a columbarium, and newer lawn plots all in one place.
The site is listed as Grade II and is known for having one of the best collections of funerary monuments in the city; if you’re into sculptures and statues, that’s definitely a cemetery to visit.
Most Beautiful Cemeteries in London: Highgate Cemetery
Highgate is one of the most iconic cemeteries in London and part of the original Magnificent Seven; it’s undoubtedly the most beautiful.
Split into East and West sections, it’s home to around 170,000 burials and is listed as Grade I for its historical and architectural importance: the West side, in particular, houses dramatic Gothic tombs, the Egyptian Avenue, and the Circle of Lebanon.
The East side includes graves like Karl Marx (who has two of them!) and is easier to visit without a tour, although I love walking around the West side on my own to enjoy wonderful nature.
Close by, you have the village area of Highgate, with its independent shops, cute coffee shops, and the stunning Gothic mansions at Holly Village – you could easily make Highgate Cemetery part of a day out in North London!
Best Cemeteries in London: Abney Park Cemetery
Also located in North London, Abney Park is one of the best places to visit in Stoke Newington, and opened back in 1840 as part of the original Magnificent Seven.
Like Tower Hamlets Cemetery or Highgate Cemetery, Abney Park Cemetery is filled with worn paths, old gravestones, sculptures and greenery: if you’re looking to find autumn colors in London, it’s a place you shouldn’t miss.
When you’re done visiting, you’ll find in the nearby Stoke Newington Church Street plenty of beautiful cafes, charity shops, and even indie shops to find new Jellycat plushies!
Cemeteries in London: Brompton Cemetery
Originally known as the West of London and Westminster Cemetery, Brompton Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven and is located in West Brompton, within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
The cemetery is Grade I-listed and managed by the Royal Parks.
Whether you visit during the spring or the fall, you’ll find its greenery, old trees and architectural details make it a wonderful place to walk around solo, with friends, or with family.
When you’re done visiting, why not make your way to Chelsea’s charity shops to get yourself some vintage designer bits and bobs, or visit a themed cafe for coffee and cafe?
Most Beautiful Cemeteries in London: Nunhead Cemetery
Nunhead Cemetery might not be the most famous name on the list, but it’s easily one of the most rewarding cemeteries to visit in London.
If you’re looking for a peaceful walk with overgrown beauty, woodland paths, and a slightly forgotten feel, this one definitely stands out.
It’s part of the original Magnificent Seven and is officially listed as a Local Nature Reserve, which gives it an extra layer of charm – a quirky spot to visit on a budget.
We’re here in Nunhead, in the London Borough of Southwark; when you’re done visiting, make your way to London Bridge to discover its hidden gems, cafes and many shops!
Best Cemeteries in London: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
Back when I lived in Mile End, I’d spend lots of time walking around the many tombstones of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park; this place is a proper mix of history and nature.
It’s part of the original Magnificent Seven, officially opened in 1841 and closed for burials in 1966; today, it’s all walking paths, old walls, Victorian sculptures and greenery.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a Local Nature Reserve, and you’ll see there plenty of Victorian and Gothic headstones, worn-out tombstones covered in ivy and moss, ruins and faded stonework.
If you’d like to make it a day out in London’s East End, you could start with a halal Full English at Grounded in Bow, a few stations away, or at Cafe East on Roman Road.
After visiting the cemetery, you could visit the Ragged School Museum, also in Mile End, or go further out in Limehouse to discover its marina and perfect views of Canary Wharf in the distance.
Best Cemeteries in London: Hyde Park Pet Cemetery
The Hyde Park Pet Cemetery is hidden behind Victoria Lodge in Hyde Park and opened by accident in 1881. It started with Cherry, a small Maltese terrier buried in the garden after his family asked the lodge gatekeeper for permission.
His stone is still there and still says, Poor Cherry. Died on April 28. 1881.
Soon after, other pets followed, including Prince, a Yorkshire terrier owned by the Duke of Cambridge. In total, around 300 animals were buried here until the cemetery closed in 1903.
Most were dogs, but you’ll also find birds and even monkeys, and some of the headstones have full names and messages that are hard to read without getting emotional.
Best Cemeteries in London: Barnes Cemetery
Also called Barnes Old Cemetery, this hidden spot in Richmond-upon-Thames is no longer in use but still open to explore.
It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, just tucked behind trees and houses like a forgotten patch of land – plus, the fact that it’s located far out in West London means you really have to look for it to find it.
The cemetery opened in 1854 and has long since been taken over by nature, like most cemeteries in this guide.
You’ll find broken gravestones, tangled branches, thick undergrowth and a quiet stillness that feels like you’re in a hidden spot outside London: gorgeous.
Best Cemeteries in London to Visit: Gap Road Cemetery
Gap Road Cemetery, also called Wimbledon Cemetery, opened in 1876 and sits quietly in a residential pocket of Wimbledon – it’s not huge, but a peaceful place to walk around and feel how time has stopped there.
There are two small Gothic chapels near the main entrance, one on each side of the path, and both feel slightly hidden among the graves and greenery.
A larger modern chapel sits between them, but the original cast iron gates are still there and set the tone right from the start.
Gap Road Cemetery is not a famous cemetery, and that’s exactly why it’s worth visiting; it has that slightly forgotten feel that makes you slow down.
Beautiful Cemeteries in London: 11 Best Spots To Visit
What I’ve always loved about London’s cemeteries is that they’re not just about the dead; they’re part of the city, and sit quietly between buildings and roads.
They’re places full of history, architecture, nature, art, and stories that almost never make it into tourist guides.
My favorites are the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and Highgate Cemetery, where you can truly break away from the crowd and enjoy some of the most beautiful tombstones and sculptures.
And while it may sound counterintuitive, all those cemeteries in London are almost best-visited when it rains!