Gap Road Cemetery (also known as Wimbledon Cemetery)

Wimbledon Cemetery was set up by the Burial Board in 1876 (Meller has 1896) on a site that slopes gently upwards from south to north; its two Gothic chapels and grounds were laid out for £6,000. Originally 20 acres it was subsequently enlarged by a further 8 to the west, the extension slightly higher than the original cemetery, with short flights of steps and the old boundary indicated by trees and a number of piers of the original cemetery. Modern chapel built . Main entrance has original cast iron gates.

There are rose beds near the entrance and scattered trees particularly along boundaries. The rear of the cemetery has old entrance gates leading to Pitt Crescent. The more elaborate tombs are in the older area and there are some unusual graves including that of Kezia Leete (d.1921) with ceramic arches. Cooke Mausoleum, 1885, 'the best building in the place' (Meller) on western boundary - Italianate with pink and grey granite, originally had stained glass. Mayors and other local dignitaries buried here; stone commemorates Belgian refugees who died in Wimbledon in WWI in Roman Catholic area.

Sources consulted:

Hugh Meller & Brian Parsons, 'London Cemeteries, An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer', 4th edition (The History Press, 2008)