Charlton Cemetery

Charlton Cemetery is a Victorian burial ground in Charlton, south-east London. It opened in 1855 and today covers about 15 acres (6.1 ha). It lies on Cemetery Lane, just east of Charlton Park, and suits anyone who enjoys local history, funerary architecture and quiet walks away from the usual tourist routes.

How did Charlton Cemetery come about?

The cemetery was set up by the Charlton Burial Board on land that had been part of the estate of Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson. It started out on roughly 8 acres (3.2 ha) as a "Gentleman's Cemetery", and a further 7 acres (2.8 ha) were added in the 20th century. It was among the first cemeteries provided under the new Burial Act, which moved burials away from crowded churchyards onto larger, dedicated sites.

What is there to see?

A Victorian layout. The original plan survives: serpentine paths wind between graves and tree-lined sections. The arrangement is much the same as in the drawing printed in the Illustrated London News in 1857, so a stroll here feels like stepping back in time.

Two 19th-century chapels. The Church of England chapel is in the Early English style and has a stained glass west window dating from 1865. The Roman Catholic chapel is in the Decorated style, a later phase of English Gothic. The original lodge was demolished, and the present lodge by the entrance is a later, tile-hung building.

Military graves and memorials. Many military graves and monuments are found here. One standout is an urn on a large plinth commemorating 52 men and boys who died of yellow fever aboard HMS Firebrand in July 1861.

Who is buried here?

Notable burials include:

• Peter Barlow, mathematician
• William Henry Barlow, civil engineer
• Sir Geoffrey Callender, first director of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
• Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie, governor of Malta
• Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Holland, known for his First World War service
• Nikolay Ogarev, Russian poet

This mix draws visitors interested in science, engineering, military history and literature as well as local residents.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Charlton Cemetery? In Charlton, south-east London, on Cemetery Lane to the east of Charlton Park.

When did it open? In 1855.

How big is it? About 15 acres (6.1 ha): roughly 8 acres originally, with 7 more added in the 20th century.

Are the Victorian features still there? Yes. The cemetery keeps its Victorian path layout and two 19th-century chapels, one Church of England and one Roman Catholic.

Are there military graves? Yes, there are many military graves and monuments, including the urn for the 52 who died aboard HMS Firebrand in 1861.

Is it a good place for a quiet walk? Yes. Winding paths, historic chapels and old gravestones make it a rewarding stop for anyone seeking calm and traces of Victorian London. It is still a place of remembrance, so please be respectful of other visitors and the graves.