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Brompton Cemetery
London
Size: 40 acres
Jutting out of the pavement on Old Brompton Road is a large archway like a mini Arc de Triomphe. It marks the entrance to this peaceful haven in the midst of chugging London. One of the arch's outer blocks reads, 'The public are permitted to walk in the cemetery daily'. The way in to this patch of sacred land reflects the same grandeur and sense of authority as the thousands of gravestones which line the grass within.
The layout of the cemetery is like a Cathedral. A central aisle extends from one end of the grounds to the other, with smaller paths leading off and parallel to it, including a specific dog-walking path (where dogs must be kept on leads). At the far end of the main footpath is the Great Circle
So, why is Brompton cemetery so special? Well, after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the population of London had rocketed to 2.5million. The result: if people weren't being buried quickly, bodies would pile up in the streets. To overcome this potential hazard, London would need more burial space. That's where Brompton Cemetery came in, along with seven other cemeteries around the city, forming what's become known as the Magnificent Seven. From north to south, the cemeteries are Highgate, Abney Park, Tower Hamlets, Kensal Green, Brompton, Nunhead and West Norwood.
Nearest Tube: West Brompton (District Line)
Opening times: Closing times vary throughout the year, but the cemetery always opens at 08:00
