Brompton Cemetery

Brompton Cemetery in London is a Victorian garden cemetery in the west of the city, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, near Earl's Court. It was laid out in 1839 and opened in 1840. It belongs to the group of London burial grounds known as the "Magnificent Seven" and remains one of the city's most atmospheric quiet places for anyone interested in history, architecture and Victorian funerary art.

How did Brompton Cemetery come about?

In the first half of the 19th century London faced a serious shortage of burial space. The answer was seven large cemeteries on the edge of the city, built between 1832 and 1841. Brompton is one of them. It was founded by Stephen Geary, the same man behind Highgate and Nunhead cemeteries. The Bishop of London consecrated it in June 1840.

Who designed it?

The design was by Benjamin Baud, who conceived the cemetery as an open-air cathedral: a long central avenue leads to the Great Circle at the heart of the layout. Catacombs were planned beneath it, but building costs forced the company to scale back its ambitions. Only the domed Anglican chapel was built. Thousands of coffin spaces were possible, yet only 500 were ever bought.

What to see

• The domed chapel and the Great Circle – the most recognisable part of the layout.
• The catacombs – open on guided tours run by the Friends of Brompton Cemetery. Some original Victorian funeral flowers can still be seen inside.
• Historic monuments – around 35,000 monuments mark more than 205,000 burials.

Who is buried here?

The cemetery holds surgeons, opera singers, racing drivers, arctic explorers and entrepreneurs. The best-known name is Emmeline Pankhurst, the suffragette leader, whose grave is marked by a simple Celtic cross.

Who looks after the cemetery?

It is managed by The Royal Parks under contract from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which makes Brompton Britain's only Crown Cemetery.

Frequently asked questions

When did Brompton Cemetery open? It was laid out in 1839 and opened in 1840.

Can I visit the catacombs? Yes, but only on guided tours run by the Friends of Brompton Cemetery.

Where is Emmeline Pankhurst buried? At Brompton Cemetery, under a simple Celtic cross.

How many people are buried here? More than 205,000, remembered by around 35,000 monuments.

Who owns the site? The Royal Parks manages it on behalf of the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Brompton Cemetery suits anyone who wants a less obvious side of London: calm, green and full of stories about the people who shaped the city's life.