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St Mary's Burial Ground Rest Garden (also known as Acton Old Cemetery, Churchfield Road Old Burial Ground)

Introduction

In 1979 the cemetery was partly cleared to make a public garden laid out with a paved area, raised planters and seating along the Churchfield Road boundary; headstones largely against the perimeter walls although some remain scattered among the grass in which there are also various trees and a number of flower beds; a tarmac path between the two entrances. The site is bounded by iron railings along Churchfield Road and part of the east boundary, with an iron entrance gate from Churchfield Road; brick walls predominantly around rest of the site.

St Mary's Burial Ground was established here in 1863 on 1 acre of land that was purchased by the Acton Vestry to provide additional burial land for the parish church of St Mary. The land had been part of a field called Conduit Close that had a number of springs, providing the village with water. By 1929 the cemetery was almost full. In 1979 it converted into a public garden laid out with a paved area, raised planters and seating along the Churchfield Road boundary. It was partly cleared, with headstones largely set against the perimeter walls although some remain scattered among the grass.

Sources consulted:

T F T Baker, C R Elrington (eds), Diane K Bolton, Patricia E C Croot, M A Hicks 'A History of the County of Middlesex: Vol 7: Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden', (Victoria County History, 1982) p35; Middlesex County Times, 31/8/1929; EDA Environmental Design Associates, 'Churchfield Road Old Burial Ground and The Woodlands Park Acton, Historic Landscape Report for LB Ealing', 1999

For more information see http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=EAL044

Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts

Website

https://www.stmaryacton.org.uk/welcome/

Access contact details

The site is sometimes locked, but specific opening times are not known.

Directions

London Overground: Acton Central. Bus: 207, 266, 70.

Owners

Parish Church Council

Other Websites

History

Period

  • Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
  • Victorian (1837-1901)
Key Information

Type

Funerary Site

Purpose

Ornamental

Principal Building

Religious Ritual And Funerary

Period

Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)

Survival

Extant

Hectares

0.41

Open to the public

Yes

References

Contributors

  • London Parks and Gardens Trust