Margravine Cemetery

Margravine Cemetery is a Victorian burial ground in west London, in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It covers about 16.5 acres and has long served as a quiet green space in a densely built-up area. It is also known as Hammersmith Cemetery or "Hammersmith Old".

Where is Margravine Cemetery and how do you get there?

The cemetery lies between Margravine Gardens, St. Dunstan's Road and Claxton Grove, behind Charing Cross Hospital. The nearest Underground station is Barons Court, a short walk away. It makes a good stop when exploring west London, well away from the busy central tourist routes.

What is the history of the cemetery?

The land was once market gardens and orchards known as the Fulham Fields. The cemetery was opened in the late 1860s and laid out by local architect George Saunders. The first burial took place on 3 November 1869. Over the decades it received around 83,000 Hammersmith residents.

In 1951 the site became a Garden of Rest. The council cleared many memorials, and the clearance work was completed by 1965. That is why you now find a mix of scattered gravestones and open lawns rather than the densely packed rows typical of other Victorian cemeteries.

What is there to see?

• The Young family mausoleum: the only mausoleum in the cemetery, standing out among simpler monuments.
• Listed buildings: three listed structures on the grounds, supported by local campaigners.
• War graves: 191 Commonwealth service personnel are buried in registered war graves, 186 from the First World War and 5 from the Second.
• Paths and lawns: a calm place for a walk among mature trees.

Who is buried here?

Burials include George Broad, a brass and bronze founder; Sir William Bull, 1st Baronet, a solicitor and Conservative politician; and Sir Henry Foreman (1852-1924), also a Conservative politician. Peter Leitch (1820-1892) is buried here too.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No. The cemetery is run by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and is open as a public green space.

Which Underground station is closest? Barons Court.

How big is it? About 16.5 acres, roughly 6.7 hectares.

Why are there so few gravestones? The site became a Garden of Rest in 1951 and many memorials were removed. The work was finished in 1965.

Are there war graves? Yes, 191 Commonwealth service graves: 186 from the First World War and 5 from the Second World War.

It remains a place of rest, so visitors should keep noise down and show respect for the graves.