Chingford Mount Cemetery (also known as Caroline Mount)7192

London, England, Greater London

Brief Description

Chingford Mount is a huge cemetery on undulating ground, and the grave plots are densely packed in most areas with roadways and paths between them. The site is thickly planted with mature trees including holly, poplar, horse chestnut, yew and coniferous species, and it is now designated a site of local nature conservation importance.

History

Chingford Mount Cemetery was set up by the non-conformist Abney Park Cemetery Company in 1884 when its cemetery in Hackney, Abney Park Cemetery, had become congested, in order ‘to provide Christian burials for all’. The site purchased by the Cemetery Company was known as Caroline's Mount or the Mount Caroline Estate. In 1975 new owners of Chingford Mount Cemetery wished to build housing on part of the unused land but this proposal was opposed and the cemetery subsequently became neglected.

Visitor Facilities

Open: Mon-Sat 7.30am/Sun 10am.Closed: 4pm (Nov-Jan); 5pm (Feb/Oct + Mar/Sep on Sun); 6pm (Mar/Sept+Apr-Aug on Sun); 7pm (Apr-Aug).BH/Gd Fri 7.30-4pm

Detailed Description

Chingford Mount Cemetery was set up by the non-conformist Abney Park Cemetery Company in 1884 when its cemetery in Hackney had become congested. The site purchased was Caroline's Mount or the Mount Caroline Estate, so-called after the wife of the land owner. In 1975 new owners wished to build housing on part of the unused land but this proposal was opposed and the cemetery subsequently became neglected and its chapel and lodges vandalised. In 1977 it was acquired by LB Waltham Forest. The gates at the western main entrance survive from the C19th layout, with a short avenue lined by mature London plane trees, and the cemetery is densely planted with mature trees.

Sources consulted:

Chingford Notes; Hugh Meller & Brian Parsons, 'London Cemeteries, An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer', 4th edition (The History Press, 2008); Robert Burley, Meg Game, Mathew Frith 'Nature Conservation in Waltham Forest', Ecology Handbook 11 (London Ecology Unit, 1989)

For more information see http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=WAL008

Access & Directions

Access Contact Details

Open: Mon-Sat 7.30am/Sun 10am.Closed: 4pm (Nov-Jan); 5pm (Feb/Oct + Mar/Sep on Sun); 6pm (Mar/Sept+Apr-Aug on Sun); 7pm (Apr-Aug).BH/Gd Fri 7.30-4pm

Directions

Rail: Chingford; Walthamstow Central then bus. Tube: Walthamstow Central (Victoria) then bus. Bus: 97, 215
References

Contributors

  • London Parks and Gardens Trust