Hampstead Cemetery
by IanAWood
Hampstead Cemetery was founded by Hampstead Burial Board, which was established in 1873 when the graveyard at St John-at-Hampstead became full. A 20-acre plot of land was purchased and the cemetery was laid out and planted by Joseph Meston, who had previously worked on Victoria Embankment Gardens. The cemetery was consecrated by the Bishop of London and opened in November 1876; further land was added in 1901. Over 60,000 people have been buried here, representative of the many well-known and artistic people attracted to the area over the years, and there are many fine monuments. The oldest graves are close to the main paths.
This is my first visit and whilst I spent three hours exploring I seem to have missed the graves of most of the famous buried here. Whilst the Northern side of the Cemetery shows the most sign of Nature taking over it is the North East sector the other side of the Chapels that is most overgrown. Some of the War Graves could do with a little more TLC but I guess that Camden Council would say that funds are better used elsewhere in the tightened times.
I need to do a little more research and perhaps revisit early in the new year to have another run at what is an interesting corner of NW6.
