Ford Park Cemetery

Ford Park Cemetery is a Victorian burial ground in central Plymouth, Devon, in south-west England. It covers about 34.5 acres (roughly 14 hectares) and ranks among the city's most absorbing historic sites. Today it is more than a cemetery: it is a green space for a quiet walk, a heritage and education venue, and a place of remembrance for the people of Plymouth.

Why was a cemetery built here?

In the first half of the 19th century the neighbouring towns of Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport were growing fast. Churchyards were overfull, and that raised public-health concerns. As early as 1842 a group of prominent citizens began discussing a shared cemetery company. The company was formed in 1846 and burials began in 1848. The site lay beyond the built-up edge of the Three Towns, so there was ample room. Its original name was the Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse Cemetery, though that title is rarely used now.

What can you see?

The layout and buildings date from the Victorian era. The grounds once had two chapels: an Anglican one and one for Nonconformist congregations. The second was destroyed by German bombing in 1941 and rebuilt in the 1950s as an interdenominational chapel. The listed Anglican chapel now serves as a visitor centre that hosts exhibitions. Inside hangs a civilian memorial to Plymouth people killed in the Second World War bombing, described as the only civilian war memorial of its kind for the city.

War graves

The cemetery cares for plots belonging to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Hundreds of soldiers and sailors from both world wars lie here. Figures differ by source, but there are roughly 770 First World War graves and around 200 from the Second World War, plus a separate naval plot. For anyone interested in the military history of Plymouth, a major Royal Navy port, it is one of the key places in the city.

Decline and rescue

By the late 20th century the company running the cemetery was in trouble. When the Ministry of Defence ended its contract for naval graves, the company went into liquidation in spring 1999. The grounds became overgrown and suffered vandalism. In April 2000, with encouragement from the city council, the Ford Park Cemetery Trust was created, a charity run largely by volunteers. Thanks to them the cemetery has been restored to good order and can be visited today.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, you can walk the grounds, keeping in mind that it is a place of burial. Check the Trust's website for current visitor-centre opening hours.

When was it founded? The company was formed in 1846 and the cemetery began operating in 1848.

Why was it created? Because churchyards in Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport were overcrowded, and public health was a concern.

Who runs it now? The Ford Park Cemetery Trust, a charity operating since 2000.

Are there war graves? Yes, the cemetery holds CWGC plots with graves from both world wars.

Who is it for?

History lovers, family-history researchers, fans of Victorian architecture and military heritage. A visit tells the story of Plymouth: its growth in the 19th century, the hardship of war, and the people who saved this place from being forgotten.