Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Park · Bow Common

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Park · Bow Common

Southern Grove, London E3 4PX, United Kingdom

Highlights

Restored Victorian cemetery and local nature reserve with urban woodland, bats and butterflies.

Southern Grove, London E3 4PX, United Kingdom Get directions

fothcp.org

@fothcp

@onthegrid

"Depending on the time of day you visit, the Cemetery Park can be a spectacularly peaceful place… or, rather expectedly, eery. Opened in 1841, burials stopped here in 1966 and ever since the site has existed as a nature reserve open to the public year round. In the summer Shuffle Festival takes place in the park, erecting temporary tree houses, cinema screens and pop up bars and restaurants. Thanks to the festival's success, the park lodge is being restored as a new permanent community space." - Adam Johnson

On the Grid : Cemetery Park

View Postcard for Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

@atlasobscura

"Built as one of London’s “Magnificent Seven” Victorian-era park-cemeteries, Tower Hamlets Cemetery opened in 1841 on 27 acres to accommodate burials of all denominations, opening in 1841 and closing for burials in 1966 Comprised of Kensal Green, Highgate, West Norwood, Abney Park, Nunhead, Brompton, and Tower Hamlets cemeteries, the Magnificent Seven were created in 1832 as part of an effort to move burials out of the City of London in response to the twin pressures of health concerns about overcrowded churchyard cemeteries and desires for buildable land in the rapidly expanding city. Tower Hamlets quickly became a popular place to spend eternity, with an estimated 247,000 burials by 1885, and stories of mass graves dug forty feet deep. Like many of the city’s great cemeteries, over the course of decades, it fell into a state of neglect and disrepair. Adding to the problems, the site was bombed during WWII – shrapnel damage can still be seen. After many years of uncertainty, the park was declared a Nature Reserve in 2000, and now serves as an open-air nature classroom for local students. An immersive app called Let’s Get Lost is a site-specific sonic artwork created for the cemetery. It allows visitors to wander around, walking in and out of sounds and stories that are triggered using GPS. Some notable people from history who were buried here include Dr. Rees Ralph Llewellyn (the surgeon who performed the autopsies on the victims of “Jack the Ripper”), Clara Grant (an educator and social reformer), and Charles Jamroch (a Victorian animal collector)." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

Historic Cemeteries in London

View Postcard for Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Mark Isherwood

Google

Great park set in what was originally Bow cemetery operating 1841 to 1960s when it was converted into park. Graves are still in place throughout the park with gravel paths around the perimeter and some though the park. Plenty of trees with the graves mixed in, I guess much of the damage comes from WW2 bombing and was one of the reasons the cemetery was closed. Park is best reached from Bow Church or Bow Road stations and short 5 minute walk from there. I was really surprised to find this park, although I live only 4 miles away I was not aware of its existence but is another great piece of London history.

Henry Schuster

Google

This has become a cherished spot for me in London, conveniently just a short hop away. It's a truly picturesque place for a leisurely stroll or jog. I have a soft spot for the enchanting gated section, lush and brimming with character. Visiting throughout the year is a treat, witnessing the captivating seasonal transformations. On a warm summer day, it offers a refreshing coolness under the trees. Find a bench, take a seat, and savor the moment.

Simon McMahon

Google

This is one of my favourite places in London and luckily just a short hop skip and jump away from me. A really beautiful place to walk (or jog) through. I'm particularly fond of the gated section that's really overgrown and full of character. It's worth visiting several times a year if you can as it changes so much season to season. It's lovely to come here on a hot summer's day as it can be very cool amongst the trees. Grab a bench and sit for a while.

Caz B

Google

My favourite place in London to go, a real gem in the middle of busy east London. Summary: dog friendly, family friendly, no toilets. A quiet place about 5 minutes from Mile End or Bow Road. Very dog friendly, family friendly, with main gravel paths circling the park but smaller dirt paths to explore in between. Plenty of open spaces amongst the trees, and lots of surprises on the way; wooden seating areas tucked amongst the trees, tree stumps, wooden ‘huts’, wildlife galore, cute dogs. Oh, and plenty of gravestones! The gravestones line the paths but it doesn’t feel eerie; strangely peaceful, and a great place for a summer amble or a winter dog walk. Absolutely brilliant for connecting with dog owners. Plenty of dog poo bins and benches and I’ve never not found somewhere to sit. Very little litter too. Events held here often; The summer festival is fab and there are frequent local history tours. The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park do a phenomenal job looking after the park and showcasing wildlife and nature trails, and putting on activities on a regular basis. Do note in case you are caught short: no public toilets.

Steph D

Google

Gorgeous historic park. A hidden oasis in a busy city. I swear I don’t hear the sirens and other city sounds when I am in the park, just the birds and rustling of the trees. I regularly walk my dog in the park and they love it!

Aaron Ghastkill

Google

Stunning! A scheduled spot behind some estates that’s filled with life ( even tho it’s a cemetery ). Plant life is great, birds and other critters. Some very interesting graves and the condition of them is interesting too. The people who look after it are lovely too and they are very passionate about it. You can also volunteer. Great fresh air Amongst the dense trees and not too many people getting drunk/doing drugs

R Smith

Google

Mostly weeds to be honest disguised as "re-wilded". The Soames buildings in the cemetery should be pulled down as they are unkempt. Paths are well maintained and lots of trees, not much litter. The graves are, no offence, not so interesting as much of the text has disappeared or the lives were um a bit dull.

Elizabeth Abdelkereem

Google

A very nice place to hide out,walk,breath and check out the beautiful energy here.Lots of wildness,birds and big healthy tree's and bushes.I felt so relaxed just walking through and sitting on my own.A great place to stop off.

Caroline L.

Yelp

This is my favorite of the Magnificent Seven. Nature conpletely invaded the place and at Spring, flowers are overgrowing from the graves. It's very poetic and since a picture is worth a thousand words, I invite you to look at the photos. Also it's free.

Anita S.

Yelp

This cemetery park is closed for burials since the sixties, and ever since, the local residents and the small charity Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park have been fighting to protect it from bulldozing or developers and save this oasis of greenery for the local community. This cemetery is huge and in some places, it is almost like a little forest. The charity is working hard on taking care of the maintaining the diversity of the greenery in the park, and is gradually working on limiting the occurrence of undesirable species and seeding some interesting ones. If you wish to help, contact Friends of Tower Hamlets on their website. I visited and helped culture the site as part of our team-building social responsibility activity, and the charity is happy to welcome larger groups from company's CSR schemes, or individuals. Our guide was very knowledgeable and clearly had a passion for improving this park and turning it into a center point for the community. The park is open 24 hours a day. It is nice for a quiet walk or run, but also watch out for cultural events in it - for example, every year there is a seven day long arts festival.

Qype User (trinal…)

Yelp

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (known locally as Bow Cemetery) is a historic Cemetery located in London's East End. The nearest tube station is Mile End The Cemetery opened in 1841 by an Act of Parliament and is one of London's Magnificent Seven Cemeteries. The Cemetery closed to burials in 1966. It became Tower Hamlets first Local Nature Reserve in 2001. Near-by land was added in the mid-nineties, known as "Scrapyard Meadow" and Ackroyd Drive Green Link. Today it is 33 acres of "managed" mature, broadleaved woodland and meadow. It's a fantastically creepy and wonderful place and it is possible to sign up to tours through the website.

Minh C.

Yelp

Though not as alluring as some of the other "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries of London, this one is still worth a visit. I don't know how to put this without sounding morbid but there's more "space" here than the other ones we've been to so at times it does feel more like a park than a cemetery. Don't be surprised to find runners jogging through or parents taking their toddlers for a stroll.