Kensal Green - Kensal Green Cemetery

Kensal Green Cemetery

Kensal Green is the site of Kensal Green Cemetery which is one of the finest cemeteries in London. The brain-child of barrister George Frederick Carden who was inspired by Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, it was consecrated on 24 January 1833 by the Bishop of London.

Within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea survive two cemeteries dating from second quarter of the 19th century: Brompton and Kensal Green. Of the two, Kensal Green is the earlier in date being more important historically, and pre-eminent nationally in terms of its influence, importance of people buried there, overall richness and the number of outstanding memorials. There is a set of gates set in the southern outside wall to the cemetery which is adjacent to the Grand Union Canal, where it is said that coffins carried by barge could be unloaded.

Kensal Green Cemetery today comprises 77 acres (310,000 m2) of grounds, including two conservation areas and the adjoining canal. The cemetery is home to 33 species of birds and other wildlife, some almost unique in their representation at this site.

With three chapels catering for people of different faiths, the distinctive cemetery has a host of different memorials ranging from large mausoleums housing the rich and famous, to many distinctive smaller graves and even special areas dedicated to the very young.

Notable 'residents' include HRH the Duke of Sussex (a son of George III), his sister HRH the Princess Sophia, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Charles Babbage, William Makepeace Thackeray, Anthony Trollope and William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland. Architects who are buried at Kensal Green include Decimus Burton and the famous 19th century architectural families of Hardwick and Shaw. Philip Charles Hardwick, Philip Hardwick and John Shaw Junior are buried there, as well as Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter.

Every Sunday in the summer months (1 March to end October) and on the first and third Sunday of the month in the winter months (1 November to end February) the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery run a tour starting at 14:00 at the Anglican chapel and lasting 2 hours. On the first and third Sunday of the month, the tour descends into the catacomb beneath the Anglican chapel.

Next door to Kensal Green Cemetery is St Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery. It was established in 1858, occupies 29 acres (120,000 m²) and its own Catholic Chapel.