Allerton Cemetery

Allerton Cemetery is one of the main municipal burial grounds in Liverpool, set in the Allerton district of the city's south. It covers 150 acres (about 61 hectares) and holds Grade II listed status. For visitors it is a quiet place where local history, wartime remembrance and a parkland landscape share the same ground.

How did Allerton Cemetery come about?

The city bought the land in 1906, with a large part coming from the former Allerton Hall estate, purchased from the Clarke family. The acquisition was completed in October 1906. The Church of England section was consecrated by the Bishop of Liverpool on 24 September 1909, and the first burial took place on 29 December 1909. The cemetery is still in operation today.

What should you know before visiting?

The cemetery lies on Springwood Avenue, with Springwood Crematorium directly opposite. The site is large, so a full walk takes time; comfortable shoes and a little planning help. It remains an active burial ground where funerals take place, so visits call for quiet and discretion.

Who is buried here?

Two recipients of the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for bravery, rest at Allerton. George Edward Nurse was decorated for gallantry in the Boer War, and William Ratcliffe for his actions at Messines in 1917 during the First World War. George Alfred Strong, Lord Mayor of Liverpool in 1933-34, is also buried here.

War graves

The cemetery contains several hundred graves of Commonwealth servicemen from both World Wars, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The commission's register for the site lists more than 400 names. It is an important stop for anyone interested in military history or tracing ancestors.

Who is it for?

• readers of Liverpool history and cemetery architecture,
• family historians researching Merseyside ancestors,
• anyone interested in military history and Victoria Cross holders,
• visitors who want a calm green space away from the city centre.

Frequently asked questions

Is Allerton Cemetery a listed site? Yes, it is Grade II listed.

How large is it? It covers 150 acres, roughly 61 hectares.

Is the cemetery still in use? Yes. The first burial took place in 1909 and burials continue today.

What is opposite the cemetery? Springwood Crematorium, on Springwood Avenue.

Are there war graves? Yes, graves of servicemen from both World Wars, plus the burials of two Victoria Cross recipients.

Can visitors walk around? Yes, but it is a working cemetery. Keep noise down and give way to any ceremony in progress.

Getting there and the surroundings

Allerton is in south Liverpool, a green, largely residential area. A visit pairs naturally with exploring the neighbourhood, whose history is tied to the Allerton Hall estate from which the cemetery land was bought in 1906.