Introduction
Richmond Council has declared the site a nature reserve but although some clearing up was carried out it remains neglected, and it is effectively part of Barnes Common. No boundaries appear to exist and the atmospheric cemetery is encountered through the woodland of the common, its graves and tombstones hidden away among the vegetation, although some paths have been recreated.
Location, Area, Boundaries, Landform and Setting
In 1854 a plot of land in the north-east corner of Barnes Common was enclosed to provide an additional burial ground for St Mary's Barnes, whose churchyard had become overcrowded. The cemetery was laid out with paths, a chapel was built and it was in use until the mid-1950s, with many artists and writers among those buried. After it closed to burials, it was taken over in 1966 by Richmond Borough Council who intended to turn it into a lawn cemetery.
The two-acre plot is the location of 93 graves, most notably a large memorial to the Hedgman family, who were local benefactors in Barnes.
Principal Building
The chapel and lodge were demolished, and the boundary railings removed. It was badly vandalised over the ensuing years and many of the headstones broken. The Council has now declared it a nature reserve and it is effectively part of Barnes Common.
Herbaceous plants including Herb Robert, Ox-eye Daisy, as well as foxglove can indeed be found with some of the more exposed lush greenery.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
There is unrestricted open access.
Directions
Rail: Barnes
Owners
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
- History
19th Century
The cemetery was established in 1854 on two acres of sandy ground purchased by the Church of England for the sum of £10. A chapel, lodge and landscaping were provided at a further cost of £1,400. The cemetery functioned as an additional burial ground to the local parish churchyard.
The cemetery has several interesting permanent residents including the graves of landscape painter Edward ‘Moonlight’ Williams who died in 1855 just a year after the cemetery opened and his two sons, also landscape painters, Henry John (who took his wife’s surname of Boddington and died in 1865) and George Augustus (died 1901).
Other graves include Samuel Rabbeth, (1858–1884) a doctor at the Royal Free Hospital who was a young doctor who died from diphtheria contracted from a child patient whom he tried to save. His tragic death was widely reported in the newspapers and there is a memorial to him in Postman's Park, London.
20th Century
In 1966 the cemetery was acquired by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames with the intention of turning it into a lawn cemetery, a grass-covered area where each grave is marked with a commemorative plaque rather than standing memorials.
Period
- Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
- Victorian (1837-1901)
- Features & Designations
Designations
Conservation Area
Features
- Railings
- Description: Enclosed to provide an additional burial ground
- Cemetery
- Description: Cemetery was laid out with paths
- Chapel (featured building)
- Description: A chapel was built and it was in use until the mid-1950s
- Graveyards
- Description: Location of 93 graves
- Plantation
- Description: Herbaceous plants
- Key Information
Type
Funerary Site
Purpose
Conservation
Principal Building
Religious Ritual And Funerary
Period
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
Survival
Extant
Hectares
0.81
Open to the public
Yes
- References
References
- Meller, Hugh & Parsons, Brian., (The History Press, 2008); 'London Cemeteries, An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer', 4th edition
- Archer, John, & Curson, David., (London Ecology Unit) 1993 p60 Nature Conservation in Richmond upon Thames, Ecology Handbook 21
- Richmond, L, B., (2007) Barnes Common 32 and Mill Hill 14 Conservation Area Study
Contributors
London Parks and Gardens Trust
Photographs provided by David Phipps (Vancouver BC Canada)