Plashet Jewish Cemetery

Plashet Jewish Cemetery is a historic Jewish burial ground in the London Borough of Newham, in the Manor Park and East Ham area of east London. It is a quiet place of remembrance that recalls the large Jewish community that once lived across the East End and beyond.

How did Plashet Cemetery come about?

The United Synagogue, the main body of Orthodox Jewish congregations in Britain, bought the land in 1888. Burials did not begin straight away: the cemetery only opened in 1896. By then east London was growing fast and was home to many Jewish immigrants and working families, so a new burial ground was badly needed.

What does the site look like?

The graves follow a grid layout, set out in tidy rows. A prayer hall once stood at the centre, but it was damaged by bombing and later demolished. Today a small brick building stands just inside the main entrance. The cemetery sits on High Street North in Manor Park, and the calm within its walls contrasts with the busy road outside.

Who is buried here?

The cemetery was once nicknamed the Trade Unionists Cemetery, since figures from the labour movement are buried here, including former secretaries of the cigar makers' union and the costermongers' union. Sir John De Villiers, a librarian at the British Museum, also rests here. There are also war graves from the First World War, looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Sources give differing totals, in the region of several dozen burials.

Can you visit?

This is a working burial ground and a religious space, not a typical sightseeing stop. According to the London Gardens Trust, access is by appointment through the Burial Society. Other sources describe the site as closed, so check current information before travelling and do not count on dropping in unannounced.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Plashet Jewish Cemetery? In Manor Park, in the London Borough of Newham, on High Street North.

When did it open? The land was bought in 1888 and the cemetery opened in 1896.

Is it open to visitors? There are no regular opening hours. Entry is generally by prior arrangement, and sources disagree, so enquire in advance.

Who is buried here? Trade unionists, the British Museum librarian Sir John De Villiers, and First World War service personnel, among many others.

How should you behave?

Remember that this is a place that honours the dead. Dress modestly, keep quiet and respect Jewish tradition. Men usually cover their heads. Do not disturb the headstones, and take photographs sparingly. The cemetery has suffered vandalism in the past, which is why those who look after it restrict access.

Why it is worth knowing about

Plashet shows a different side of London from Big Ben or Tower Bridge. It tells the story of ordinary East End residents: their work, their faith and their activism. For anyone interested in London history, Jewish heritage or family research, it is a meaningful point on the map of the east of the city. The area is well connected to the centre, and other cemeteries and green spaces of Newham lie nearby, so a visit can be combined into a calm, reflective walk through a lesser-known part of the capital.