Search for the name, locality, period or a feature of a locality. You'll then be taken to a map showing results.

Lauriston Road Cemetery (also known as Hackney Cemetery, Grove Street Cemetery, Lauriston Road Jewish Cemetery)

Introduction

There are notable plane, and other semi-mature trees in the grounds, and numerous headstones and chest tombs set in grass. There are plans for a new synagogue to be built adjacent to the lodge on the turning circle.

By the early C18th there was a small Sephardic Jewish community in Hackney, and in 1786 a group of Ashkenazim, on behalf of the Hambro Synagogue, purchased land on the east of Grove Street, the former name of what is now Lauriston Road. The Jews Burial Ground opened in 1788, then called Grove Street Cemetery. In 1870 both the grounds and buildings were improved, including new entrance gates, renovation of tombs and planting of trees and shrubs. It was closed to burials in 1886. Little changed in intervening years, the cemetery retaining its C19th lodge, iron gates and railings, and numerous headstones and chest tombs set in grass among trees. There are plans to build a new synagogue here on the former carriage drive next to the lodge.

Sources consulted:

Hugh Meller & Brian Parsons, 'London Cemeteries, An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer', 4th edition (The History Press, 2008); Victoria County History; David Mander, Strength in the Tower, an Illustrated History of Hackney (Sutton) 1998. See Cemetery Scribes website: www.cemeteryscribes.com, Brief History of Lauriston Road Cemetery.

For more information see http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=HAC027

Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts

Access contact details

The site is open by appointment only.

Directions

Tube: Mile End (Central/Hammersmith & City/District) then bus. Bus: 277

Owners

The United Synagogue

Other Websites

History

Period

  • 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
  • Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
Features & Designations

Designations

  • Conservation Area

Key Information

Type

Funerary Site

Purpose

Sacred / Ritual / Funerary

Principal Building

Religious Ritual And Funerary

Period

18th Century (1701 to 1800)

Survival

Extant

Hectares

0.9

Open to the public

Yes

References

Contributors

  • London Parks and Gardens Trust