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