Magnificent Seven cemeteries
The Magnificent Seven is an informal term applied to seven large private
History
Background
For hundreds of years, almost all London's dead were buried in small parish churchyards, which became dangerously overcrowded. Architects such as Sir
In the first 50 years of the 19th century, the population of London more than doubled, from 1 million to 2.3 million. Overcrowded graveyards also led to decaying matter getting into the water supply and causing
Establishment
In 1832, Parliament passed an
The Burial Act 1852 section 9 required new burial grounds in a list of urban parishes of London (the Metropolis) to be approved by the Secretary of State. Sections 1 and 44 enabled the Secretary of State to close metropolitan London churchyards to new interments and make regulations regarding proper burial. The expenses for establishing burial boards to accommodate these changes were ordered to come from the poor rates under section 19. Sections 26 and 28 of that act enabled parish Burial Boards (with vestry approval) to purchase land anywhere and to appropriate land belonging to the relevant parish, poor board or any of its charitable trusts.[4]
List
| Name | Year opened | Location | London borough | Postal area | Active | Notes | "Friends" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensal Green Cemetery | 1833
|
51°31′43″N 0°13′27″W / 51.5286°N 0.2241°W | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | Yes | Originally known as the General Cemetery of All Souls, this is the oldest of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries and it is still in operation. | ||
| West Norwood Cemetery | 1837
|
51°25′59″N 0°05′55″W / 51.4330°N 0.0986°W | London Borough of Lambeth | SE27 |
Partially[a] | Originally known as the South Metropolitan Cemetery, this was the first cemetery in the world to use the Gothic style.
|
|
| Highgate Cemetery | 1839 (West)
1860 (East) |
51°34′01″N 0°08′49″W / 51.567°N 0.147°W | London Borough of Camden | Yes | It is divided into East and West cemeteries. | ||
| Abney Park Cemetery | 1840
|
51°33′54″N 0°04′41″W / 51.5649°N 0.0781°W | London Borough of Hackney | Yes | It became the main burial place of English nonconformists when Bunhill Fields closed. | ||
| Brompton Cemetery | 1840
|
51°29′06″N 0°11′27″W / 51.4849°N 0.1908°W | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | SW10 |
Yes | Owned by the Crown, it is managed by The Royal Parks. | |
| Nunhead Cemetery | 1840
|
51°27′51″N 0°03′11″W / 51.4642°N 0.0530°W | London Borough of Southwark | SE15 |
Yes | It was originally known as "All Saints' Cemetery". | |
| Tower Hamlets Cemetery | 1841
|
51°31′25″N 0°01′49″W / 51.5237°N 0.0304°W | London Borough of Tower Hamlets | No | Also known as Bow Cemetery, it closed to new burials in 1966, and is now a designated local nature reserve. |
- ^ Closed to new burials, but still used for cremations. Burial in family plots is still possible.
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 0-86127-003-7.
- doi:10.2307/989929.
- ISBN 9781416502487.
- ^ "An Act to amend the Laws concerning the Burial of the Dead in the Metropolis." [1 July 1852.] Usually cited as the Burial Act or Burials Act, 15 & 16 VICTORIAE, C./Cap. 85.