Paddington Old Cemetery

Paddington Old Cemetery is a Victorian municipal burial ground in Kilburn, in the London Borough of Brent. It opened in 1855 and sits along Willesden Lane. Despite its name, it lies outside the old Paddington parish, on land the local burial board bought in what was then Willesden. It is a quiet green pocket of north-west London, and it carries Grade II listed status.

What is Paddington Old Cemetery?

It is a civic cemetery, created in the mid-19th century when London's crowded churchyards could no longer cope with the growing population. Paddington's burial board purchased the land and commissioned a layout for a modern, landscaped cemetery. The grounds were designed by Thomas Little, an architect who is also associated with the chapel at Nunhead Cemetery in south London. The site is known by a few other names, including Paddington Cemetery and Willesden Lane Cemetery.

Why is it called "Old"?

The "Old" was added in 1936, when a second, newer cemetery for Paddington opened in Mill Hill. From then on the Willesden Lane site was distinguished as the old one. Later, in 1986, Westminster council sold it to Brent Council, which manages it today.

What can you see there?

The entrance is flanked by lodge buildings, and two Gothic-style chapels stand near the centre of the original layout. Both are part of the listed ensemble. Only one chapel is still in regular use, and the oldest part of the cemetery is nearly full, so newer burials have been placed in an extension to the north. Paths run between Victorian headstones, monuments and mature trees, which gives the site the atmosphere of a small park as much as a graveyard.

The cemetery also contains a substantial group of Commonwealth war graves, roughly two hundred in total according to the sources available, and a war memorial stands near the western entrance. In 2021 a columbarium for cremated remains was added, showing that the cemetery is still active and evolving.

Is it worth visiting?

For visitors interested in Victorian funerary architecture, local history or quiet urban green space, it is a rewarding short stop. It is not a headline attraction in the way of the larger "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries, but it offers a calmer, more local experience. Treat it as a place of remembrance: keep voices low, stay on paths and respect any funerals taking place.

How to get there

The cemetery is on Willesden Lane in Kilburn, in north-west London. The area is well served by buses, and the Overground and Underground stations in Kilburn and Brondesbury are within a reasonable walk. Check Brent Council's current opening hours before visiting, as gates are opened and closed at set times.

Frequently asked questions

When did Paddington Old Cemetery open? It opened in 1855.

Who runs it now? Brent Council, which bought it from Westminster in 1986.

Is it listed? Yes, it is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England (entry 1001542).

Does it have other names? It is also called Paddington Cemetery and Willesden Lane Cemetery.

Are there war graves? Yes, there are a couple of hundred Commonwealth war graves, and a war memorial stands near the western entrance.

Is it still used for burials? Yes. The newer northern section and the columbarium continue to serve the community.