Kensal Green Cemetery

Kensal Green Cemetery is a large Victorian garden cemetery in west London. It stands between Harrow Road and the Grand Union Canal, covering 72 acres. The cemetery has two conservation areas and is home to at least 33 species of birds and other wildlife. It was founded in 1833 by the barrister George Frederick Carden and inspired by Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. The site includes three chapels and serves all faiths. It is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries in London. The cemetery’s design reflects a mix of Gothic and Grecian styles. Its layout follows an east–west axis with a central path leading to a raised chapel in the west. The Anglican Chapel dominates the western section and sits above an extensive catacomb. A hydraulic catafalque was once used to lower coffins into the catacomb. The cemetery also has a separate area for Dissenters, marked by a sunk fence and decorative iron gates. Its atmosphere has made it a popular filming location, including for the movie Theatre of Blood. Visitors find a landscape of grand mausoleums, smaller graves, and special sections for children. The main entrance on Harrow Road leads to a wide path lined with some of the largest monuments. The cemetery’s Gothic Revival style is evident in many private memorials. Wildlife thrives among the mature trees and conservation areas. The canal to the south was once used to transport earth and occasionally coffins by barge. The site remains in use today, with daily burials and cremations.