Canterbury City Cemetery

 

LOCATION:

The site is located on Westgate Court Avenue, Canterbury, Kent. This is the main entrance but there is one at the rear located on Cherry Garden Road, located just off Whistable Road. The nearest station would be Canterbury West but it is a bit of a walk up a very steep hill so be ready for it! There are buses that go up that way too I believe.


FIRST OPENED:

On June 16th 1876, it was decided that work should begin for a cemetery. The site was first opened on July 4th 1877.


FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

Joseph Conrad - A writer, originally born in the Ukraine but became a British citizen. His novel, "Heart Of Darkness" was adapted into a film by Francis Ford Coppola called "Apocalypse Now".

Thomas Byrne VC - A soldier, born in Dublin, who won his VC at the age of 21. Winston Churchill said that he was "The bravest man I have ever known". There is even a myth that skin from Churchill's own chest was used to save his life.

Cecil (Cyril) Northcote Parkinson - A writer, famous for his 1957 book "Parkinson's Law".

Harry Bloom - A South African journalist and writer. He was the step father of actor Orlando Bloom.

War Graves - There are about 146 WW1 graves and around 54 WW2 ones. They are also commemorated with a cross of sacrifice with its bronze sword.

"Unknown Citizens" - These are the remains of people who were moved from the graveyard of St Mary Bredin, after the site was destroyed by enemy bombs in 1942.


ALSO KNOWN AS:

N/A


SIZE & LAYOUT:

The site was originally 12 acres. A further 8 acres was added in 1923.


THE WALKABOUT:

Canterbury is one of the oldest and most beautiful places in the whole of Kent, if not Britain. I went camping for the weekend near there so it was only right that I should check out one of its graveyards. I found this one and am I glad that I found it! It was a bit of a walk to get here but it was very much worth it. The first thing you will notice, above all, is the sheer size of the place. It is packed full of graves but at the same time it does not look overly cramped and untidy. The only part that isn't full however, is the very neatly done lawn part which I believe is the newest part there. It is almost sectioned off however so it doesn't take away the old look of the place.

What I love most about this place is the greenery. I have never seen so many different types of trees and bushes all in the one place. They even have a little section, a garden of remembrance, that holds at least 8 different types of flower. I have seen nothing like it, something that is not turning into a nature reserve that is. The main building that you will come across is a double chapel (service and remembrance) and a spire. The building is 110 feet tall and is possibly the only real spire in the whole city. Something that I found quite quirky was the display in front of the chapel. There were a couple of altar benches that had little plant pots in them.

In the site there is both a Catholic area and a Muslim area, both with burial grounds also. It is quite unusual to see this, even in today's society with lots of mixed cultures in the one place. I do not know why I liked it so much, maybe it is just nice to see different religions/cultures coming together, in peaceful rest. The one thing I did find slightly odd was that, next to the cemetery lodge house (which is quite popular in larger graveyards), there was a toilet!! I don't know about you but is that really a good idea? They have obviously had no problems with it...

The whole place is almost like a big maze, there are so many little walkways that you could almost get lost. Everything is so old but there aren't too many ruins. The place is very well looked after which makes me very pleased. One little story that I have from the day is our encounter with an old black cat. We came across it just as we were leaving the cemetery. He was very old and quite fat but so attached to us already! He followed us all the way to the entrance then stopped, he wouldn't go no further. Most people would say that he probably got bored or lived near there, I like to think that he guards the cemetery and all of the sleeping residents within it...


ANY GHOSTS?:

As I have said before, many times, in a place as old as this and one that has so much history too it, it is hard not to feel anything. The place was so relaxing that it was easy to open up and experience what was going on around me. When I am on my own, I like to talk out loud (not to be confused with talking to myself!). This time, my boyfriend was with me and I actually got him to do it. Although he is spiritual, he is more of a skeptic than I am so I could sense that he felt a bit silly doing it.

When I finally got home and uploaded my photos, I had a few that had potential "orbs" here and there but nothing that was substantial enough. Until I came across one photo. There was something in it that seemed to stick out. It was a bit of a gloomy day, with bursts of sunshine here and there. It was not raining that day either. I had done all of my tests at home and I could not find an answer. Some people may say that it could be possible light rays, but they are far to bright and only in the one little spot. Plus, it was not sunny when we went to the site. Could it have been a ghostly visitor, coming to say hello to us?

 

Notice the misty white thing on the right hand side. Stands out quite well, but what is it?

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

There are not many cities left in Britain that look like this one so to actually have a chance to go and not only walk about it but review it, is just a dream. The place has such a beauty and a peacefulness to it, I could almost get lost in it. You certainly feel the history as you walk through it, making it feel older than it actually is. It is such a shame that cemeteries with beauty this grand are fading away...


"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: 5/5 - If it was legal, I would actually live here it was that peaceful.


LINKS: http://www.canterbury-archaeology.org.uk/#/cemetery/4557747701



　

Chatham Cemetery - Maidstone Road

 

LOCATION:

The site is located on Maidstone road in Chatham, Kent. The nearest station would be Chatham station, however, it is a bit of a walk. There are buses that pass by there however,

FIRST OPENED:

It was first opened in 1859.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

N/A

ALSO KNOWN AS:

N/A

SIZE & LAYOUT:

The site is of a rectangular shape. As to the actual size of it, I couldn't find out.

THE WALKABOUT:

I seem to have got myself into a bit of a bad habit lately. As I now live in a new town, I am finding it hard locating all the local graveyards (without having to go into London). Instead, I seem to be doing these guides on places that I just come across, which granted, is not always a bad thing, but I feel like I cannot fully give my time to the place like I would do had I planned to go there. Anyway, that said, I was on a trip and I went past this beautiful looking, and very big, graveyard that I had no idea was this close to where I live. What did I do? Pulled in to investigate it of course! On entering however, as my very bad luck would have it, there was a funeral taking place and it was quite a big one. I have never been one to show disrespect so I had to be extremely careful whilst walking around. The funeral plot was quite near the church so unfortunately I could not have a closer look at it.

When you enter, you will notice that it seems a lot bigger from the inside than it does from the outside. Strange I know, but if you look in on it, it just looks quite big, when you are inside however, it seems huge, almost like you are in another world. Despite the fact that it is smack bang next to a main road, and a busy one at that, you can barely hear it. Everyone knows how much I love my peace and quiet! There is a huge chapel straight in front of you with and arch way in the middle. The site apparently has a Jewish section with a synagogue. I will be honest, I couldn't find much evidence of one and the exterior of the chapel is hardly stereotypical Jewish. It could have been inside but I can't say for certain. One for you guys to investigate.

I honestly thought that a big place like this would be pretty packed out but a lot of it is actually quite sparse! Right in one of the far corners there is even a monument which is just standing there all on its own. One thing I did find out whilst walking around is that there had been a recent case of vandalism which utterly disgusts me. Some of the graves were so badly damaged, they had to take them away to get them repaired. People like that truly make me sick. Near the back is a patch of land which I believe they are turning into a nature site. It has a wooden fence around it and I believe that it is a memorial garden. It is stunning and it will only look better through time.

Despite the size, it is very well maintained which pleases me! The one thing that I love about it the most is the presence of trees. They look especially gorgeous at this time of year. There are even wild bushes of flowers which are actually looked after as apposed to people just cutting them away. My stay was cut short by the funeral procession. I felt quite bad about being there so decided to cut my trip short and leave. As beautiful as the place was, it was someone Else's day to shine.

ANY GHOSTS?:

Upon my arrival, like I mentioned before, there was a funeral going on. This right away, like it would most people, made me very sad and at the same time, quite spiritual. Again, I had not prepared myself for going there so I didn't expect anyone to be prepared for me! Most times I would put not catching something down to a bad day but today, I think it is more of a case of they were busy welcoming someone home....and I was happy enough with that.

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

Aside from the awful incident which happened there, it really is a beautiful place and I would still suggest it to anyone. Those of you who know me well enough know that I do not promote disrespect to a resting place in any shape or form so if you decide to go there, treat it well! It is one of the biggest ones in Kent so make sure you truly take some time to really appreciate it.


"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: 4/5 - Certainly one to go an see, it is guaranteed to be beautiful in any weather.

LINKS: N/A
　

St Mary The Virgin - Reculver

 

LOCATION:
You can find the grounds on Reculver Lane, Reculver, Canterbury, Kent (this is the most popular address however, there seems to be quite a few different locations so if you do plan on going then just follow Google maps). The nearest train station would be Herne Bay, however, it would be much easier to reach it by car.

FIRST OPENED:
The present church ground was built in 1878.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:
N/A

ALSO KNOWN AS:
N/A

SIZE & LAYOUT:
N/A

THE WALKABOUT:
This review has to be one of the most random ones that I have ever done. I had never heard of the place let alone had any intention to do a walkabout in it! We were actually on our way to Reculver Castle where my boyfriend was taking me for my birthday. On our way there, we drove down a small country lane. That was when I saw this gorgeous little churchyard. I made a decision then to visit it on our way back. It was a blazing hot day by the time we got back to it. The best thing about this place straight off was the peace and quiet. Based next to a country road and with acres of farmland on the other side, absolute bliss.

From the front entrance you will notice how sparse the site actually is. A lot of the plots actually appear quite new, whether this is because it has started to be fully used or not I do not know. The church stands right in the middle, the main attraction of the site with its bell tower and beautiful stone work. The newest part of the site, I think, is a little plot of war memorial plaques. All the same size and beautifully made. On the outside of the sight, behind a curved wall is even a larger memorial dedicated to those who died in the war. You can only see the writing from the other side however.

The older part seems a tad more extravagant. Many of the graves may be weathered but that does not take away from their beauty. Some of the even older graves are beginning to be hidden away by the shrubbery around it. The older parts are always my favourite, not only because they have more history but the graves themselves tend to have a tad more character than recent ones. What I love about this part was the presence of an old sun dial which has been made so it looks like it is sitting on top of an old church tower.

From what I could gather, the church is one of three parishes (a united benefice) with St Bartholomew in Herne Bay and The Holy Cross in Hoath. The church you can see now was built in 1878. The original was actually at Reculver castle, having been moved to another spot in 1810 then to the spot where it is now. It is safe to say that the church could have possibly had 3 graveyards! The oldest gravestone in this one dates as far back as the 17th century so who knows how old the other ones were. This is something that I would have liked to investigate further.

ANY GHOSTS?:
I already knew before entering the site that I wouldn't have much chance in catching anything. Even though things like these can happen spontaneously (which it has done in the past) I have a bit of a ritual in which I do. I go in and walk around slowly, almost tempting something to follow me. As I walk around I like to talk out loud (hence why I usually do these myself!). Because I never got to do my little routine I knew that there was very little chance that I would catch anything. I did get quite a strange feeling as I was walking around however. The only way I can describe it is, as peaceful as the place was, I felt like it was too good to be true. I cannot describe it anymore than that but I have to admit, it was a bit unsettling.

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:
I only wish that I had knew about this place sooner so that I could have planned a better walkabout and photography session. I had to be quite quick about it so I do not think I gave myself the time I needed as well as the time a place like this deserves. I have a feeling that this place has a lot more history and secrets that it is not letting us on to and I would like to try and find out exactly what they are. The biggest question being, why was it rebuilt so much considering there was no damage to the previous places...


"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 - Although it may be quite sparse, it in no way ruins its natural beauty.

LINKS: http://www.stmaryreculver.co.uk/index.html



　

St Margarets Parish Churchyard - Rainham

LOCATION:

The site is found on High Street, Rainham, Kent. The nearest station is Rainham which is a couple of minutes walk from it.

FIRST OPENED:

The church seemed to have been built sometime in the late 1200, so it os possible that the site was around at that time also.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

Thomas Norreys – A comissioner of the navy who died in 1624

ALSO KNOWN AS:

N/A

SIZE & LAYOUT:

The land is said to be about 30 acres, although, I do not think that is very accurate. The layout is near enough a triangle shape that is situated on a small hill.

THE WALKABOUT:

As Rainham was where my boyfriend used to live, I am suprised that I hadn't actually done this one sooner. I suppose that I half expected it to be a tiny little churchyard on a busy road that was not that well looked after. Well, it is safe to say that I was very much wrong. Like I said, the site is on a main road, and quite a busy one at that. What is charming though is that it sits on a little hill which lets it overlook the rest of the town. On one side you have a community center and on the other you have an estate. This cuts the privacy severely and makes it less peaceful than it should be, due to a cut through path that runs through it for public access.

When you approach the site, you are met with a mixed set of graves. You have some very old and weathered ones mixed in with fairly recent ones. This has always seemed a bit strange to me as when that happens, it means that an old one has been removed and placed with the new one. Something that I absolutely detest. There is a fair amount of greenery here to which is quite refreshing considering its location. The church over looking it all is rather spectacular. I have seen it at night time and they way it looms over is very beautiful if not slightly creepy.

The biggest suprise of this site is actually the size. To look at it from the front you would think that it is actually quite small. Go around the back however and you will see that it is very much bigger. There are lines of trees ( that almost make an enclosed kind of tunnel) and lots of little archways. again made by the trees. I would love to see this place in the middle of the summer with all the blossom from the trees blowing around. It really would be like something out of a fairy tale. I could not believe how beautiful it was behind the church.

Ufortunatley, most of the old graves are either damaged or unreadable. Whether this is down to vandalism, neglect or both, I don't know but it is such a shame. The one thing I would like to point out, which I have not seen in another graveyard yet, is that near the back entrance of the church they have 3 very large gravestones. On these gravestones, on both sides, are what appears to be, a record of all of the graves in the site. At first I thought they were war memorials, which is not uncommon, but looking at the dates, there are some that are recent deaths and who weren't that old. Whatever it was intended to be, it certainly helped add a little bit of character.

ANY GHOSTS?:

In some of my photos I found some weird looking orbs. Although, on further inspection, these turned out to be little bits of blossom that were falling from the trees. There was one thing that slightly bothered me. As I was looking through my photos, I seen what appeared to be a shadow figure next to the church door. I left my laptop for a few minutes so that i could get some tracing paper (something that I use to help me determine shapes), but when I returned, the shape was gone. Obviously, there could be a chance that I thought that I had seen something, but I am not usually one for doing that. I was slightly disturbed by this, I wonder if I maybe caught something that really did not want to be seen?

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

From the front, I was in awe with the church. From the back however, it was the graveyard that certainly had my attention. It really is a deceptively beautiful place. I only wish that a bit more care was put into it and that more effort was made with the front of the site. If you like to explore a little, then this is the place. For a churchyard, it certainly has a magical feel to it.

“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 - If it hadn't been on a main road then it would pretty much be perfect.

LINKS: http://rainhamchurch.wordpress.com/

Rochester Cathedral Graveyard & Burial Grounds

LOCATION:

The site can be found on Boley Hill. The site can be easily reached to from both Rochester and Strood station. There are also a number of buses that pass through that way.

FIRST OPENED:

The site in which you see now was consecrated on December 1423. However, an original Saxon church was built in 604 so it is possible that there could be an even older burial site under the one that stands now.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

The Dorrit Family – A well respected family of the area at that time.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

The site may sometimes be referred to as The cathedral burial grounds or simply the castle burial grounds. Rochester cathedral churchyard is another name that it may be referred to as.

SIZE & LAYOUT:

When it was first used it was roughly half an acre. Once the next bit of land was bought, that took it up to roughly double its size at one acre. The site next to the cathedral is a slim triangle shape. The part in front is long and rectangular and the castle ground is a big bit of lawn.

THE WALKABOUT:

To start off with, the graveyard next to the cathedral is very small so a walkabout was not really needed. Another point I would like to make before carrying on is that, the graveyard site found at the moat around the castle is not really considered to be part of the same cemetery, but for the sake of the blog, I will include it as it is within the proximity. For most people, they could easily miss the main graveyard as it lies in the shadow of the grand Rochester cathedral. The cathedral itself was consecrated in December 1423, however, a much older Saxon church was there in 604. It is highly possible that there could be even older burials there, although they have not been found yet. There could also be a chance that these may have been pagan burials, hence why they won't be recorded. The church yard was extended when the Vestry of St Nicholas bought a piece of land from The Right Hon George, Earl of Jersey for £300. It is not known whether the negotiations were sucessful or not.

It is said that the part out the front of the cathedral used to be 5ft higher and the stones were actually upright. This is a shame that it is not this way anymore as I think that it would have looked far more appealing. The stones are now laid flat, most of them with no writting on them anymore due to severe weathering. In the middle of it all is a large ancient tree that is reputed to be about 150 years old. There is another tree in the smaller site which looks the same but I am not sure if it is the same one. The wall around the small site used to be about 16ft but now it is only about 2-3 ft.

Despite its size, it really has maintained that almost ancient quality. The fact that it is in 2 (possibly 3 parts) can seem a bit daunting due to the uncertainty of its origins. The graves on the bit in front and the moat are very sparse and very few. It is such a shame that you cannot learn more history from them. Despite their wear and tear, the site is very well looked after. There is a gravestone dedicated to the Dorriit family, who were a well to do family in their time. They are also supposedly the inspiration for Charles Dickens Little Dorrit.

The best part about visiting this place has to be the view. You have the cathedral right next to it and straight in front of it you have the magnificent Rochester castle. The pathways are stone cobbled (the pathway in front of the site is actually a very old roadway). I only wish there was more that I could write about it. It's beauty is outstanding if not slightly understated.

ANY GHOSTS?:

I myself did not catch anything, apart from some interesting photos in the crypt in the cathedral. However, there is an old ghost story surrounding Charles Dickens. It is said that he wished to be buried in the burial ground as he loved Rochester very much. When he died however, it was not allowed and instead, he was buried in the poets corner in Westminster. Every boxing day (or another day depending on who is telling the tale) he is said to walk the moat grounds at midnight. I may at some point try and do an investigation around that time and see what results I can come up with.

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

I certainly had a difficult time trying to accertain whether the graveyards were all in one or separate. This only added to the adventure however, delving into my other passion: history. I wish that this place was bigger somehow, I feel a place as grand as Rochester almost deserves the big cemeteries you see in london and Britains other capitals. I cannot complain about its beauty and simplicity however, the fact that it has so few only adds to the historic mystery and gives it that status it so rightly deserves. There is plenty more to see here so it is definatly worth taking the time to come and see it.

“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: 4/5 - Quite small but its beauty surpasses it.

LINKS: The graveyard doesn't have a direct website but the cathedral and castle do so you may find out some more information on there.

All Saints - Frindsbury

LOCATION:

The site can be found on Church Green, Frindsbury, Rochester. The nearest train station is Strood and there is a bus that goes to Chatham that passes near there too. It is roughly a 15-20 minute walk (depending on how good you are with hills!)

FIRST OPENED:

The church and site merged with others in the area on the 24^th October 1950. It merged with Upnor and Chattenden. The site itself however is way older than that. It is believed to be from Saxon times, dating around 1075. Although this is not proven, it is widely believed that this is the origin.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

Thomas Buttler – He served Queen Elizabeth I.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

It seems that the site has always been known by this name. Hundreds of years ago, it may have been known by an independent saint or even an by the Olde English version of the town, however, I can find nothing to back this up.

SIZE & LAYOUT:

N/A

THE WALKABOUT:

When I first came across the site, I went around the long way which unfortunately, led me to walking up a very steep hill. Once you get to the top however, it is very much worth it. The site for one is amazing as you can see the whole of Rochester, including the castle. This is due to the site sitting isolated on top of some chalk cliffs. You will also notice the very strange layout. Some of the graveyard (which I believe is the older part) is situated within the walls. The rest is outside of it. The west churchyard (which is closed) is managed by the Medway council. The east churchyard is managed by the PCC.

You will straightaway notice the huge church. In 998 AD, Strood was pillaged by the Danes. The church was wrestled back by Harold Godwinson. After his defeat at the battle of Hastings, The site was taken over by William the Conqueror, who gave its lands to Odo, bishop of Bayeux. Around the church you will see many tombstones on the floor. These were translated from the south aisle and the north wall after its 19^th century rebuild.

The site is housed in by a wondrous wall of tall trees and little mini chalk hills. Many of the tombstones are walled in by rot iron gates or are built in the style of memorials. Despite how old the site is, it is very much well looked after. In fact, we had to make a lot of effort to avoid the men trimming the grass that day! Many of the graves are weathered but just about readable. We even found some carved in writing on the walls from around 1907! There is one little stone pathway that goes around the church, the rest of the pathway is just grass, but that shouldn’t put you off.

Despite the weather, it was a lovely day. It was nice to be in a graveyard for once that wasn’t next to a busy road. Being on top of a hill, it was very quiet and peaceful. You couldn’t ask for a better location. If you are not one for graveyards however, I suggest you go up there anyway to get a marvellous view of Medway.

ANY GHOSTS?:

On some of the photos that I had taken, I am pretty sure that there were some orb activity. However, as it was such a rainy day I cannot prove whether it was orbs or not. They seem to have congregated around the graves in particular which, had it been a sunny day, I would have concluded it as possible spiritual activity. It is one of those common situations where I can’t say whether it is or isn’t unfortunately.

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

As I stated before, it is extremely peaceful up there. Although it is still near a busy town, you can barely hear the rustle and bustle. I would love to come back here when the weather is better, not just for the scenery but to see if I can actually capture something paranormal which I believe this place has the potential, not because it is just a mere graveyard but because of the vast amount of history that lies behind it. Who knows what you may discover when you are not searching….

“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 – Very old and very beautiful with plenty of history around it.

LINKS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints_Church,_Frindsbury

Strood Cemetery - Cuxton Road

LOCATION:

The site is found on Cuxton Road in Strood, Kent. I am not to familiar with the transport system here yet but there are at least 2 buses that go past that way. The nearest station is Strood (although it will be a fair walk) and I think that it may be near Cuxton station too.

FIRST OPENED:

The site was first opened in 1883. The church on the site, called St Nicholas, was however, built in 1875. I don't know if this is wrong information or not, but this on occasion has happened before where a church is built then the graveyard gradually builds around it.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

N/A

ALSO KNOWN AS:

The site tends to be referred to either as Cuxton cemetery or Rochester, Strood cemetery.

SIZE & LAYOUT:

The layout of the site appears to be in a half moon shape. I don't have the exact size of it but it's really not that very big.

THE WALKABOUT:

The first thing you will notice before you get there as it really is a bit of a trek! You have to walk up a bit of a hill and it you are a bit unfit, like myself, then it's a struggle. It will be easily in your site however as it sits upon a hill, with lots of trees surrounding it. There is a very tall stone wall surrounding it but as it is on a hill, the site sits on it more than being confined by it.

Just by my luck, I would pick to go on a day where there where 3 active burials going on. Due to this I had to be very careful to not cause distress or any disrespect. The first thing you will notice is the church, called St Nicholas. The church was apparently here before the graveyard itself. The site, although it be small, is one of the 4 main cemeteries in the Medway region. The one thing I do very much love about this place is the amount of trees and shrubbery. It gives it a beautifully natural feel and attracts the wildlife which is pleasant to see also. The only thing I wasn't so keen on was the amount of tree stumps that I found. The place may have ended up a forest otherwise but I would have secretly liked that.

What I noticed about this site, more than any of the others that I have been in, is the personality in which it has. I came across a child's grave which was written in the style of the Disney writing and another which was done in the style of harry potter. The site actually has a children's section which had a beautiful little cherub statue sitting upon one of the stumps. You may notice upon entering, the sound of chimes. This is because nearly all of the small trees have wind chimes on their branches. It seems quite a common theme here and is a charming addition.

The weather deteriorated which cut short my trip to this little place, for something so small it certainly had a lot of character to it. On my way out I noticed a new memorial garden which was still in the middle of construction. Can’t wait to see what it looks like when it is done.  

ANY GHOSTS?:

Although I could sense a few presences around me, when I uploaded my photos, I did not appear to find anything. There where some strange marks in some of them though. My computer went a bit funny so as of yet, I have not been able to determine what they are. As soon as I know, you will all know!

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

Considering that the site is based near a main road, it really is a serene little place with an amazing view of the historic Rochester. The fact that it is very well looked after is also worth seeing as it is not very common, especially with little ones such as this. Very peaceful and strangely relaxing.

“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: 4/5 - Beautiful little place for an afternoon stroll.

LINKS: http://www.medway.gov.uk/communityandliving/birthdeathandmarriage/deathfuneralsandcremation/burials/cemeteries.aspx

St Mary Magdalenes - Richmond

 

LOCATION:

You will find the site on Paradise Road or Church Walk. The site is the borough of Richmond upon Thames. The nearest stations are Richmond and Richmond underground. There are plenty of buses in that area also.

FIRST OPENED:
The first ever chapel was built in 1220 and was rebuilt in both 1501 and 1904. It is possible that the churchyard could have been built around then too.


FAMOUS RESIDENTS:
There do not seem to be any notable burials. This can obviously be due to its age and that it might have been used for past parishers only.


ALSO KNOWN AS:
N/A

SIZE & LAYOUT:
N/A

THE WALKABOUT:
I found this little site as I was making my way back from Richmond cemetery. It is quite hidden away despite the fact that it is actually in the centre of quite a busy high street! You can see the church right off but you wouldn't expect to see the little church graveyard within it. I was the tiniest bit dubious about exploring it however as it seemed to be the central meeting place for all of the local drunks. I hate seeing that, if there are a few things in this world that really piss me off beyond belief then it would be that.

Luckily, they were chased away by a man that worked in the shop opposite so I could look around freely without disruption. I quickly figured that although there are a few people buried here, it is treated as more of a memorial. This isn't a bad thing but some people would actually prefer to visit the site of where the body was actually buried (I know I would). My photographs wouldn't do justice of how big some of the monuments actually were. Most of them were incredibly stunning also. They were made to fit in with the church quite well also. The Church itself is actually pretty grand considering the small piece of land on which it sits.

The main graveyard seems to be quite squashed up. Some say this would be normal considering that it is in a small space but it just seems out of place. The graves are very weather beaten to the point where you could barely read what was on them. This place definitely needs a bit of love and care. The church has a religious organisation that runs in helping the church. If only they could look after their dead as well as they look after the living.


ANY GHOSTS?:
There were to be no ghosts found this time. I am purely putting it down to the fact that I was not ready for them. As I had said previously, I only found this little church by chance so the likely hood of me actually finding anything was quite low. There are not very many burials here so this place may not be all that active, That's not to say that there are no ghosts however, a little investigation may prove quite fruitful here.


FINAL (RESTING) WORD:
I really do believe this to be one of Richmond's hidden little treasures. Had it a bit more love and care then I believe that it would be a very attractive point. The only bad thing about it is that it seems to be an attraction for all of the local drunks and what not. If a bit of care was taken to rid the place of this annoyance then it would be very pleasant indeed. Next time you are in Richmond high street, I suggest that you take a quick walk though it.

"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 - Not the best looking graveyard you will ever see but nice to have a little stroll around.

LINKS:
http://www.richmondteamministry.org/stmary
　

All Saints With St Margarets Church - Upper Norwood

 

LOCATION:

The churchyard is on Beulah Hill in Upper Norwood. It is relatively easy to get to by bus and the nearest train stations are either Crystal Palace or Norwood Junction. If you use the trains however, there is a bit of a walk so buses will be easier.

FIRST OPENED:

It was built between 1827-29 and was opened not long after.


FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

I could not find any notable burials. I'm guessing that this small piece of land was used for noble families of the area or past vicars and their families.
ALSO KNOWN AS:

N/A

SIZE & LAYOUT:

The site is built on the corner of 2 roads at a junction.

THE WALKABOUT:

This lovely little churchyard was one that I had actually spotted whilst I was on the bus going to another location. I just had to come back and see it when I was done. Unfortunately for me, there was a wedding going on that day so I had to be very careful on how I approached it. The place actually served as a Chapel of Ease to the Croydon Parish Church. It was all restored in 194 however after being severely damaged by bombings in WW11. Like I said, there was a wedding that day so I had to sneak around slightly. Tyring to get a picture of the top of the church was a task in itself!

Luckily for me, the grave sites are mainly allocated to the sides and back of the church. For a small patch of land, the amount of greenery is very impressive. It looks very natural yet very well looked after at the same time, even the very old graves that have been there for nearly 100 years all look fairly new. The site is surrounded by a low rising wall and at the back it has a fairly large black, rot iron gate. There is a little winding path that you can follow around. A lot of the graves appear to be like little monuments, I think these may have been former parishers. From looking at it, it's hard to believe that there was a great scandal with the place in the 1870s. The vicar at the time had carried out doing burials, despite it being full, and was pocketing the money. There was an estimated 300 burials, causing some of the bodies to literally rise from the graves.

There is some small woodland around the yard and it is stunning. I bet this place would have looked wonderful in the snow. The church itself is to be admired. It's a lot bigger than you think it would be with a dark stone exterior. it really is just beautiful. My day here was unfortunately a short one but luckily it is small so I managed to get in all of the sights before I had to sneak back out!

ANY GHOSTS?:

There where no ghosts spotted this time I'm sad to say but I can tell that the place has a lot of potential and it feels very active somehow. I don't know whether it was all of the commotion from the wedding or the fact that it is quite close to a main road, but it certainly feels like something is trying to hide. I would very much like to come back here at a quieter time perhaps or, if I'm feeling a bit brave then maybe during the night!


FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

Although some remain skeptic when it comes to little churchyards, this one will definately change your mind. When you are there it really feels like you are in another world, there is no describing it without actually being there. Don't let all of the hustle and bustle cloud your judgement. Take a day out there to really enjoy it, I guarantee that you will not be disapointed.

"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: 4/5 - Pretty enough for a picnic!


LINK: http://www.allsaintsuppernorwood.co.uk/

Camberwell Old Cemetery

LOCATION:

The site is found in the London borough of Southwark. The site itself is found on Forest Hill Road, East Dulwich. The main entrance is on Underhill Road. The nearest stations are Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill. There are also plenty of buses that go that way.

FIRST OPENED:

The site was purchased and opened in 1855 by the Camberwell Cemetery Board. Some state that the date however was either 1854 or 1856. This first date is the preferred one.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

William Stanlake VC: An English recipient of the Victorian Cross.

Charles Walters: Founder of the International Bible Reading Association.

James John Berkeley: Chief engineer of the great Indian Peninsular Railway.

Albert Edward McKenzie: An English recipient of the Victorian Cross.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

It was once known as just Camberwell cemetery but when the new one was opened, it became known as Camberwell Old cemetery.

SIZE & LAYOUT:

The site is about 30 acres. It used to be smaller, but in 1874 it was expanded by a further 7 acres so that it could accommodate for the vast amount of burials taking place.

THE WALKABOUT:

When you approach the entrance you are greeted by tall, rot iron gates with stone pillars on each side. The old lodge is to your left. This was destroyed by fire in the 1970s but was restored. There were apparently 3 chapels here also, but each one of them went into disrepair and where torn down. This was due to the new cemetery opening and this one not being used anymore. Originally, this site was a designated burial ground for St Giles church. You will also notice how well the place is looked after. There are flower beds and trees everywhere and even an old cobbled pathway that leads you up into the graveyard.

On your right is an older part. When you enter, it is almost like a maze. The graves are all of roughly the same shape and size and are all in a near perfect circle. Straight ahead you have, what I consider, as one of the most beautiful family burial spots I have ever seen. The site was about 4 meters squared and made of white marble. The family was Irish Roman Catholics (they could have possibly been travelers also). It had a little wall going around it with angels on top and at the back there was a big statue of the Virgin Mary with a little roof over her. There were about 9 graves in all and at the front was a small marble kneeling pad. It was very beautiful and I’m glad I got a chance to see it.

If you keep to your right then you will come to one of the few entrances for the nature reserve. This one is a lot like the one at Nunhead only the pathway is much bigger. Again, there are graves on both sides that are completely hidden away by shrubs, bushes and trees. Although it is very beautiful and almost peaceful, it does make me feel very sad. The walk is not massively long and it usually leads to a lot of dead ends, be careful of when you go also, I went not long after it rained and ended up a little bit on the muddy side!

The rest of the site is quite a simple format with the back part looking almost like a modern lawn site. I would have loved to have seen the chapels as they were a gothic revival structure (much like the lodge). This site was opened as part of the 2^nd wave of 19^th century cemeteries by London. When this became overcrowded, Camberwell New was opened. You can hardly tell that it’s overcrowded however. This could be due to how well the site is taken care of.

ANY GHOSTS?:

Unfortunately I did not catch any ghosts this time which was a real shame as I believe that this place has so much potential to it. The woods alone, I feel, may hold a few surprises for me. They are very similar to the ones found in Nunhead in the sense that there are a lot of forgotten graves in there due to it becoming a nature reserve. I feel that if I go back and do a bit of an investigation then I may get more results.

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

What I loved most about this site was that it was full of surprises. For someone who loves to explore, I felt like I found a pot of gold. Even though when a site turns into a nature reserve, I still find myself in awe of how beautiful it actually is, despite how sad it makes me feel. I would encourage anyone who loves to hike to take a walk around. For those who aren’t that keen on going for long walks, there is plenty of little sections for you to explore also.

“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: 4/5 – Full of lots of hidden little gems, this place will keep you on your toes for a few hours.

LINKS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camberwell_Cemeteries