TQ2578 : Brompton Cemetery
taken 10 years ago, near to Kensington, Kensington And Chelsea, England
Dating from 1840, Brompton Cemetery is one of the so-called "Magnificent seven" privately owned and run cemeteries which opened in London during the 19th Century in order to alleviate over-crowding in the capital's church graveyards.
The other six cemeteries in this group are as follows:-
Kensal Green, opened in 1832
West Norwood, opened in 1837
Highgate, opened in 1839
Abney Park, opened in 1840
Nunhead, opened in 1840
Tower Hamlets, opened in 1841
The 39 acre site was formerly market gardens, owned by Lord Kensington. The Cemetery was designed by Benjamin Baud who added several building and structures, including a domed chapel in the style of the Basilica of St. Peter's in Rome. The central avenue leading from the main gate on Old Brompton Road to the chapel is flanked by colonnades and catacombs which are also reminiscent of St Peter's in Rome, especially when seen from the air. These structures and buildings were arranged in such a way to give the impression of an outdoor cathedral.
The catacombs are located below the colonnades and were added as a cheap alternative to having a burial plot in the grounds of the cemetery. This idea never took off with Londoners and most of the catacombs remain unused today.
Brompton is the only Cemetery in the country owned by the Crown and managed by The Royal Parks on behalf of the nation. Here is a Link to the Royal Parks web site about the cemetery.
The cemetery is Grade II* Listed in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England Link . Five of the individual monuments are listed as Grade II.
Several notable people have been buried at Brompton over the years. Here is a Link to the wikipedia article about the cemetery, which contains a list of some of the more notable interments.
The cemetery is popular with cyclists and dog walkers, with sign-posted designated routes for each. The grounds are very overgrown in places, which makes it a natural wildlife habitat.