East Sheen Cemetery

LOCATION:

There is an entrance at King Rides Gate but it is a lot easier to access it through Richmond cemetery. The site is situated between Sheen Common, Richmond cemetery and Richmond Park. There are a number of buses that go there and the nearest station is Richmond.

FIRST OPENED:

The site opened in 1905.

 

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

Roy Kinnear – Actor

The Lancaster Family – Coal mining business

Louise & Edouard Espinosa – Founders of the British ballet organization

Fulton MacKay – Actor

Sir Miles De Montmorency – Painter & author

William Ellsworth Robinson – Member of the magic circle

Ian Homer Walters – Sculptor & socialist

Jim Biddulph - Journalist

 

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Before it was joined up with Richmond, it was known as Barnes Cemetery.

 

SIZE & LAYOUT:

The layout is like one big very pointed triangle. The size of the actual site is not given.

 

THE WALKABOUT:

After my walkabout at Richmond, I then entered this one. Straight off, it is very similar to the previous cemetery. Not surprising considering they were both one whole cemetery at one point. I had a bit of a problem trying to distinguish where the site began as some of it was still considered part of Richmond.

The site has a very basic lawn set out, a bit more presentable than the previous site. As you walk down the path you walk past a war memorial. This is very well presented. When you walk further down the path you will see a little chapel. The chapel is used for all faiths and beliefs. It is a lovely little stone structure surrounded by gravel. You will notice that there are a lot of trees about. Not only does this make the site look beautiful but because it just so happens to be next to Richmond Park.

The trees going along the edges give it a slight creepy feel. I can’t describe why, maybe because it makes it feel slightly closed in and secluded. Not far from the church is a pathway that looks like a crossroads. Quite oddly placed considering how much superstitious folk there are around. These have weird box bushes by the side that looks like something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Right past the crossroad path is one of the most stunning graves I have ever seen. It’s a massive block monument with an angel grabbing towards it. I believe it is made out of bronze and has a very pale blue colour to it. It’s a lot bigger than my photography makes it look.

Towards the end you have what I think may be the more recent part as all the graves are in rows and there are a lot of vacant spaces. I could hear a wind chime in the distance, when I found it I was greeted by a cluster of Chinese graves. I know that this is a custom that they have.

 

ANY GHOSTS?:

When I came out of Richmond, I had this overwhelming feeling of sadness that I just can’t describe. I’ve been doing this for years and it’s the first time I have felt that way. This probably heightened any feelings I had. I did feel like someone was constantly watching me, the tall trees made it feel even creepier somehow. These are the images that I caught:

To me it appears to be a ghost wearing what looks like a red dress.

This one is what I think may be an orb. It wasn’t raining that day so there isn’t much explanation for it.

 

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

If you come in through the Richmond cemetery entrance then there is not an awful lot to see but give it time and you will see a lot of the hidden beauty there. If anything, the trees are a sight in themselves.

“Respect those who are not physically here, you can’t see them but they can see you, and disrespect is something they don’t want to see”

 

RATING: 6/10 – the confusion between the 2 is slightly annoying and it doesn’t feel as old as Richmond, but it’s still worth a walk around.

 

LINKS: N/A

 

St Mary The Virgin Chapel & Graveyard

LOCATION:

The site is found on Horsham Lane, Upchurch, Kent. The nearest train station would be Rainham, but even that is a bit of a trek so a car may be more suited when visiting this one. There are bus services but they are non-existent half of the time!

 

FIRST OPENED:

I couldn’t find an exact date but the chapel is a few hundred years old so I’m guessing that the graveyard would have been around for roughly the same time.

 

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

N/A

 

ALSO KNOWN AS:

N/A

 

SIZE & LAYOUT:

N/A

 

THE WALKABOUT:

I had heard about this place a while back whilst studying history. I believe Sir Francis Drake’s father was a vicar here in about 1560. It also has some important links to the Spanish Armada. Luckily for me, my boyfriend lives in this little town so it gave me the perfect chance to go and explore it.

The first thing you will notice right off is the chapel. It has a very unusual steeple; it is square on the bottom and a cone shape on top. Underneath, there is supposed to be a crypt where they kept bones when the graveyard got to full. It was discovered in 1887 and all the bones where laid to rest. One thing I will say about this graveyard is that it is very well looked after. All of the lawn is neat and trimmed and the rose bushes are well kept. The pathways are all clear and even the very old graves look as though they have been treated well. At the front you have all of the bigger monuments, probably past vicars. There are lots of trees here making it all seem very peaceful.

This site is actually quite deceptively big; once you go around the back you see a lot more graves. This part seems a lot more active as there are graves with flowers on them. Again, it is neat and tidy. The only thing slightly off putting is that there seems to be some kind of allotment right behind it. It almost makes the place feel slightly impersonal. A lot of the graves also lie in the shadow of the chapel, quite serene actually. Old fashioned is certainly a word that springs to mind with this place. Even the old wooden gate has some beautiful carvings on it!

ANY GHOSTS?:

I didn’t physically catch any evidence from this place nor did I really pick up on anything. In all honesty though, it was such a beautiful day and, to sound corny, I was with my man so I was in a good mood! Maybe I was also picking up on some good vibes, who knows! I only found out about the crypt when I got back home though so I would like to investigate that further at some point.

 

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

It’s not the grandest graveyard you will ever see but it does have plenty of history to it and the architecture of the building is stunning. It is awkward to get to but if you are planning a day trip then I suggest you pay it a little visit.

 

“Respect those who are not physically here, you can’t see them but they can see you, and disrespect is something they don’t want to see”

 

RATING: 3/5 – quite small and not a great deal to see but well looked after and will offer an enjoyable walk around in the summer.

 

LINKS: none available