Hornchurch (St. Andrew) Churchyard

St Andrew's Churchyard in Hornchurch is the historic burial ground surrounding St Andrew's parish church in Hornchurch, in east London. It suits visitors who enjoy local history, old gravestones and quiet war memorials away from the capital's busiest tourist routes.

Where is it and what is it?

The churchyard surrounds the parish church of St Andrew in the London Borough of Havering. It is not a ticketed attraction with guides, but a long-established place of remembrance that is best seen together with the church itself. Walking between the graves gives a sense of how a local community lived and was commemorated over many centuries.

How old is the site?

A church has stood here since at least 1163. According to published sources, King Henry II gave it to Hornchurch Priory in that year, and the ground around it has been tied to parish life ever since. The spot also has an interesting geological past: during the Anglian glaciation the ice sheet reached an area known as The Dell, only a few metres south of where the church now stands.

What is worth seeing?

Inside the church there are monuments and memorials to local families and notable figures. One commemorates Thomas Clutterbuck, Treasurer of the Navy, who died in 1742. Out in the churchyard itself, the war graves draw the most attention.

Commonwealth war graves

Service personnel of the Commonwealth from both world wars are buried here. The Church of England heritage record, citing CWGC data, lists 38 war graves in total.

Four graves belong to men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who served in the First World War. All four were in the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion and died in June 1916. For visitors from New Zealand and anyone interested in military history, this is a particularly moving part of the visit.

The neighbouring cemetery

Hornchurch Cemetery, opened by the local urban district council in 1932, adjoins the churchyard on its northern and eastern sides. Because it had no chapel of its own, most funeral services were held at St Andrew's. In practice the two places form one shared landscape of memory.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? It is not a ticketed attraction. The churchyard is usually open to walk through in daylight, but check arrangements with the parish.

Are burials still taking place? It is not certain whether the churchyard is still in use for burials. Confirm the current position with the parish.

How should I behave? Remember this is a place of rest and remembrance. Keep voices low, do not step on graves and photograph respectfully.

How long should I allow? About an hour is enough for a relaxed walk, the war graves and a look around the church.

What else is nearby? Combine the visit with the church of St Andrew, the centre of Hornchurch and the adjoining Hornchurch Cemetery.