(Photo: © Henk Eijssens)
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Open:
Saturday 09:00–18:00
+ Sunday 10:00–18:00
Description:
The General Cemetery of All Souls, Kensal Green, is the doyen of London's 'Magnificent Seven' garden cemeteries, laid out in 1832 on the model of a gentleman's country park. The design was influenced both by Richard Forrest, head gardener to the Duke of Northumberland at Syon Park, and the great John Claudius Loudon, with plantings by Hugh and Robert Ronalds of Brentford and specimen trees from Kennedy of Hammersmith.
Kensal Green's influence on Loudon was reflected in his seminal work 'On the Laying Out, Planting and Managing of Cemeteries', published in 1843 -- 10 years after the cemetery opened, and the very year in which both HRH the Duke of Sussex and Loudon himself were buried there.
The extravagant funeral of the first British royal to be interred in a public cemetery set the social cachet of Kensal Green as the nation's necropolis. Titled nobility, worthies and celebrities in their hundreds chose to be buried there, in magnificent monuments that line the main avenues, while humbler folk in their thousands lie close beside. Many distinguished botanists, naturalists, gardeners and designers now lie in the romantic late-Georgian landscape of Kensal Green.
Activities:
Two-hour guided tour of the cemetery, 2pm, starting from the Anglican Chapel steps in the centre of the cemetery. Ending with tea and biscuits at the Dissenters' Chapel (suggested donation £5, £4 concessions).
Entrance:
Top Gate to the east, and Main Gate to the west on Harrow Road
Nearest postcode: W10 4RA
Buses:
18, 23, 28, 52, 70, 295, 316, 452
Stations:
Kensal Green (if open), Ladbroke Grove
Access:
The tour will follow paths, but the ground is uneven throughout, and can be muddy after rain.
Dogs:
Working assistance dogs only
Conditions:
Main Gate (east side) closes an hour before the Top Gate (west side).
Further information:
Nearby Gardens (click on names for details):
Last updated: 26/05/2010