The Magnificent 7: A Mysterious Journey Through London's Enigmatic Cemeteries
Updated: Mar 10
London is a city rich in history, filled with more than iconic landmarks and busy streets. A journey through London’s cemeteries goes beyond a stroll among gravestones; it’s a city with 7 sacred sites full of serene resting places that whisper stories of existence. In this post, we will highlight some of the most notable residents, remarkable tombstones, and the history behind these important burial grounds.
London Cemeteries: The Magnificent 7
London’s cemeteries are not just burial sites; they are historical treasures. The city is home to seven private and significant cemeteries. These seven cemeteries were formed to accommodate the demand for burials during the 1800s. Each cemetery with its unique charm-some lovingly cared for and some seem resigned to being lost to nature, but all are enchanting. Londoners referred to these 7 cemeteries as the Magnificent 7.
Highgate Cemetery: Established in 1839, Highgate is one of London’s most famous cemeteries. Its Victorian Gothic architecture and winding paths provide an atmospheric experience that attracts around 100,000 visitors per year.
Kensal Green Cemetery: Opened in 1833, this was the first of the ‘great’ cemeteries and features monuments reflecting London’s vast cultural landscape. Originally this cemetery was known as All Souls Cemetery. I think I prefer the OG name.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Opened in 1841, originally known as Bow Cemetery. It is the only closed cemetery no longer accepted "new residents." This cemetery now serves more as a nature reserve while still hosting an assortment of gravesites.
Nunhead Cemetery: Established in 1840, was originally known as All Saints Cemetery. The most rustic due to lack of care of the Magnificent 7, the grounds are full of overgrown, wild nature with Victorian monuments dispersed thought the 52 acres.
Abney Park Cemetery: Established in 1840, became the preferred burial site for English nonconformists. A beautiful garden cemetery with arboretum, this cemetery named after Sir Thomas Abney, a former Lord Mayor of London has a perfect example of Egyptian Revival styled entrance.
Brompton Cemetery: Established in 1840, is technically owned by the crown and is managed by the Royal Parks. Formally known as West of London and Westminster Cemetery, this cemetery is a perfect example of nature preservation and funerary art.
West Norwood Cemetery: Established in 1839, this cemetery was initially referred to as the South Metropolitan Cemetery and is the trailblazer as the first Gothic style designed cemetery. One of the first of the Magnificent 7 established, this cemetery is a mix of monumental cemetery, lawn cemetery, and Gothic Revival Architecture.
Highgate Cemetery: The Final Resting Place of Legends
Highgate Cemetery stands out as a must-visit destination for anyone exploring London’s burial grounds. The combination of stunning architecture and serene pathways makes it a favorite for both tourists and locals. It also serves as the final resting place for George Michael and Karl Marx.
Famous Residents
Highgate is the final resting place of several influential figures. The philosopher Karl Marx is buried here, drawing many who seek insights into his political ideas. His grave has become a pilgrimage site, often adorned with flowers and notes from visitors.
Another significant resident is Christina Rossetti, a Victorian poet whose works often explore themes of love and loss. Her grave is marked by an inscription that reflects the affection of her family and captures her literary genius.
Look closely or you will miss the final resting place of George Michael. A simple family plot well cared for with a cross and vines denoting the site. There buried with him his is mother and sister. I was told while taking the Highgate Cemetery Tour that George Michael was known to visit his mother's grave at least once a week when he lived in London.
Pro Tip: Tours can only be booked 4 weeks in advance. I enjoyed the Highlights Tour which explores the West side of Highgate Cemetery's iconic Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon and the Terrace Catacombs. The cemetery is split in half by a road and the Eastside Tour explores the east section including Karl Marx's gravesite.
My Favorite Spots in Highgate
Highgate Cemetery is home to iconic Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon and the Terrace Catacombs. My favorite part was an inside look at the Terrace Catacombs. I viewed firsthand the coffins housed here in several different stages of deterioration. A dark catacomb with eerie vibes seemed to be fueled by the presence of a unique species of spider from America that has made itself very home in the dark here.
Kensal Green Cemetery: A Cultural Mosaic
Kensal Green Cemetery, established in 1833, and was the first commercial cemetery in London. embodies the multicultural fabric of London’s history. It serves as the final resting place for individuals from a multitude of backgrounds.
Notable Figures
Among its notable residents are Oscar Wilde's mother, Winston Churchill's daughter, and Lord Byron's wife. And yes, here resides many writers, engineers, medical professionals, and my favorite, a dueler who ruined the richest heiress of the day. Oh, the scandal!
Freddie Mercury, the famous Queen singer, was cremated here but his ashes are lost forever. His former girlfriend vowed never to reveal where they were buried. We will just have to enjoy his beautiful music instead.
My Favorite Spots in Kensal Green
Kensal Green Cemetery boasts a diverse collection of funerary art. The tombstones vary from ornate urns to detailed carvings, each telling a story about the individuals buried within. A particularly striking feature is the For Her Statue, which adds emotional depth to the cemetery’s tranquil environment.
Elizabeth Emma Jones was born in London in 1813. She married a culinary artist, Alexis Soyer who fled the 1830 revolution in Paris. In her short life, she channeled a prolific career as a painter. She passed away while her beloved was away. At first her husband, Soyer, attempted to kill himself upon the news of Elizabeth's death and then channeled his grief into the design of one of the most eye-catching monuments at Kensal Green. And yes, he is buried beside her for eternity. "To Her" is the single phrase etched into this funeral monument and those two simple words speak volumes of a husband's devotion.
Nunhead Cemetery:
Nunhead Cemetery, established in 1840, has the most memorable and colorful name of the Magnificent 7. The cemetery now serves as a nature reserve hosting an assortment of wildlife. A lack of care is also causing nature to overrun the hundreds of monuments of those buried here, letting them be absorbed back into the wild.
A trip to Nunhead took some time using the London Metro with a few trains needed to arrive. Beyond the bustle of London's metropolis, you will find
Significant Residents
Keep a sharp eye out and you may find several notable burials at Nunhead Cemetery. From bus tycoon, Thomas Tilling to artist John Proctor, to cricketer Henry Jupp, many who reside at Nunhead Cemetery have many fascinating tales to tell.
Remarkable Grave Markers
Many of the headstones are finding themselves being reabsorbed back into the wilderness, but that in itself is a metaphor of death that is enlightening to this author. Enjoy the video of the remarkable graves of Nunhead Cemetery.
Manor Park Cemetery:
London Manor Park Cemetery was established in 1874 on the former site of the Hamfrith Farm. The family farm was sold to philanthropist Samule Gurney before eventually being sold to the British Land Company. Now it serves as an operating cemetery and crematorium.
Significant Residents
One of the most famous, especially to fans of the Netflix series Enola Holmes, is Matchgirl Sarah Chapman Dearman. Chapman fought for the rights of working women and was a leader in the Matchgirls Strike of 1888.
One of Jack the Rippers victims final resting place lies within London's Manor Park Cemetery. Annie Chapman in 1888. Chapman was the second known victim of a serial killer referred to as Jack the Ripper who terrorized Whitechapel district in London in the year of 1888.
Remarkable Grave Markers
Outside of the significant residents, visitors to Manor Park Cemetery can find memorials to WW1 soldiers, 57 Whitta Road victims of a WW2 bombing, and John Clinton. Clinton at the age of 10 years passed trying to safe a friend from drowning. His grave is lovingly cared for to this day.
The 4 Cemeteries I didn't Get to Visit
Brompton Cemetery:
Brompton Cemetery is part of the London Royal Parks and is the largest of the Magnificent 7 cemeteries at 39 acres in size. It was established in 1840 and in its long history now hosts over 155,000 burials at this cemetery.
Notable figures buried here include Emmeline Pankhurst, a pioneer of the suffragette movement. Another person of note, is the researcher, Doctor John Snow, who helped find the cause for cholera outbreaks in London by linking the outbreaks to contaminated water sources.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery:
Tower Hamlets Cemetery was established in 1841 and closed for burials in 1966. This Cemetery Park is now a nature and conservation site with many forms of wildlife and fauna now thriving in this protected cemetery. During WW2, the cemetery was bombed five times, and the shrapnel damage can still be seen on the graves in the northwest corner of the park.
Notable figures buried here include Dr. Rees Ralph Llewellyn, who performed the autopsy on Mary Ann Nichols. Nichols is believed to be the first victim of London's notorious and most famous serial killer, Jack the Ripper.
Abney Park Cemetery:
Abney Park Cemetery, established in 1840, has elements of Egyptian Revival, Gothic and garden cemetery design.
Notable figures buried here include Rev. James Sherman, the author of the introduction to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.
West Norwood Cemetery:
West Norwood Cemetery, established in 1936, hosts over 164,000 burials in 42,000 plots. The onsite crematorium 34,000 cremations with several thousand interred in the catacombs on site. The Dissenters' Chapel was damaged by a WW2 bomb and rebuilt in 1956.
Notable figures buried here include Sir Hiram Maxim, the inventor of the automatic machine gun. James Henry Greathead, who tunneled a significant portion of the London Underground, and geologist and paleontologist Dr. Gideon Mantell,
Final Thoughts
London's cemeteries are more than final resting places; they are powerful records of history, art, and humanity. Each monument offers a narrative of lives lived, struggles faced, and legacies created.
As you explore these burial grounds, reflect on your own experiences and the diverse tapestry that shapes this ever-evolving city. From the intricacy of tomb designs to the notable individuals who influenced culture and thought, every aspect contributes to our understanding of London's past.
I have visited three of the Magnificent 7 and I look forward to traversing the other 4 in my next visit to London, England. Safe travels and get out there and traverse the haunted!
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FAQ
If I can only visit one during my London visit, which one should I visit?
I would recommend Highgate. It was easy to purchase the tours. The tours were well organized and hosted by knowledgeable keepers of the legacy of Highgate Cemetery. Highgate is an easy Northline route from central London using the Metro.
Which of the Magnificent 7 have organized tours?
Highgate Cemetery
Tours Available: Yes, both the East and West Cemeteries offer guided tours. The West Cemetery can only be accessed via a guided tour, while the East Cemetery allows self-guided visits.
Details: Tours often focus on the cemetery's history, notable burials (e.g., Karl Marx), and its Gothic architecture.
Kensal Green Cemetery
Tours Available: Yes, guided tours are available and can be booked in advance.
Details: Tours highlight famous graves, such as those of William Makepeace Thackeray and Brunel family members, as well as the cemetery's history and architecture.
West Norwood Cemetery
Tours Available: Yes, guided tours are occasionally organized by the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery and other groups.
Details: The cemetery is known for its Gothic Revival monuments and notable burials, including Sir Henry Tate.
Abney Park Cemetery
Tours Available: Yes, guided tours are offered by the Abney Park Trust and other organizations.
Details: The cemetery is a nature reserve and non-denominational burial ground, with tours focusing on its history, ecology, and notable burials.
Nunhead Cemetery
Tours Available: Yes, guided tours are organized by the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery and Southwark Council.
Details: Tours explore the cemetery's history, wildlife, and notable monuments.
Brompton Cemetery
Tours Available: Yes, guided tours are available and can be booked through the Friends of Brompton Cemetery or the Royal Parks.
Details: The cemetery is known for its grand architecture and notable burials, including Emmeline Pankhurst.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery
Tours Available: Yes, guided tours are occasionally offered by the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.
Details: The cemetery is now a nature reserve, and tours focus on its history, ecology, and notable burials.
Why are they called the "Magnificent Seven"?
The term "Magnificent Seven" refers to seven large, privately-owned cemeteries established in the early to mid-19th century in response to London's overcrowded churchyards and burial grounds. These cemeteries were designed to be spacious, landscaped, and located on the outskirts of the city. They are considered "magnificent" due to their grand architecture, elaborate monuments, and historical significance. The seven cemeteries are:
Highgate Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery
West Norwood Cemetery
Abney Park Cemetery
Nunhead Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Tower Hamlets Cemetery
Can I visit the Magnificent Seven Cemeteries?
Yes, all seven cemeteries are open to the public, though access may vary. Some cemeteries, like Highgate Cemetery, require guided tours for certain sections (e.g., the West Cemetery Mausoleum), while others, such as Brompton Cemetery and Abney Park Cemetery, allow self-guided exploration. Many of the cemeteries also offer organized guided tours, often run by volunteer groups or "Friends of" organizations. It's best to check the specific cemetery's website for visiting hours and tour availability.
Who are some famous people buried in the Magnificent Seven Cemeteries?
The Magnificent Seven Cemeteries are the final resting places of many notable figures from history, including:
Highgate Cemetery: Karl Marx (philosopher), George Eliot (novelist), and Douglas Adams (author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).
Kensal Green Cemetery: William Makepeace Thackeray (author), Isambard Kingdom Brunel (engineer), and Princess Sophia (member of the British royal family).
Brompton Cemetery: Emmeline Pankhurst (suffragette), John Snow (pioneer of epidemiology), and Henry Cole (founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum).
West Norwood Cemetery: Sir Henry Tate (founder of the Tate Gallery) and Baron de Reuters (founder of the Reuters news agency).
Abney Park Cemetery: William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army).
Nunhead Cemetery: Alfred Vance (Victorian music hall performer).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Many local East End residents, including victims of the Blitz during World War II.
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