Alderney Road Jewish Cemetery

Jewish Cemetery (Alderney Road Jewish Cemetery) is one of the oldest Jewish burial grounds in London, tucked away in Mile End in the borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a Grade II listed site and a rare surviving trace of the capital's early Ashkenazi community.

What is the Alderney Road Jewish Cemetery?

It is a disused burial ground established in the late 1690s, with the founding year usually given as 1696 or 1697. The plot, then known as Colt Yard, was acquired by Benjamin Levy, a Jewish broker. The cemetery is regarded as the oldest Ashkenazi Jewish cemetery in the United Kingdom.

Why was it created?

After Jews were permitted to resettle in England in 1656, the Ashkenazi newcomers initially buried their dead in the Sephardi cemetery in Mile End, which opened in 1657. As the Ashkenazi congregation grew, it needed a burial ground of its own, and the Alderney Road plot filled that need. It lies to the north and west of the earlier Sephardi cemetery and adjoins it.

How long was it used?

The community extended the ground in 1749 and continued to bury here until the cemetery closed in 1852. Since then it has been a quiet, historic enclosure rather than an active cemetery.

Who is buried here?

Several figures of Anglo-Jewish history rest in the cemetery:

• Aaron Hart, the first Chief Rabbi of Great Britain.
• Rabbi Hayim Samuel Jacob de Falk, known as the Baal Shem of London.
• Judith Levy, sometimes remembered as the "Duchess of Richmond Green".

What can you see?

Most gravestones carry Hebrew inscriptions, and some have weathered with age. The older northern section has a central path, and along it stand many fine chest tombs belonging to wealthy and prominent members of the community. A granite plaque on site honours the founders, lay readers and rabbis of the congregation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the Jewish Cemetery on Alderney Road? The cemetery is closed to the general public. Access is possible by appointment only, so arrange a visit in advance.

Which station is closest? Stepney Green, on the District and Hammersmith & City lines, is the nearest station.

Is the site protected? Yes. Historic England lists it at Grade II, recognising its historical and architectural value.

Is it the same as the Sephardi cemetery next door? No. The neighbouring Velho cemetery served the Sephardi community and is older. The Alderney Road ground was created for the Ashkenazi congregation, although the two sites sit side by side.

Why it matters

For anyone interested in the history of London's Jewish community, this small cemetery is a tangible link to the first generations who settled in the East End after 1656. The chest tombs, Hebrew epitaphs and the names of early rabbis tell the story of a community that built its institutions in Mile End more than three centuries ago. Even though the gates are usually shut, the cemetery is worth knowing about when exploring the heritage of Tower Hamlets, together with the other historic burial grounds and synagogues of east London.