St Pancras and Islington Cemetery

St Pancras and Islington Cemetery is a large burial ground in East Finchley, North London. Although it lies within the London Borough of Barnet, it is run as two separate cemeteries owned by two other boroughs: Camden (St Pancras Cemetery) and Islington (Islington Cemetery). It offers a quieter side of Victorian London, well away from the usual tourist routes.

How did the cemetery come about?

It was established in 1854 as London's first municipally owned cemetery. The St Pancras Burial Board bought about 88 acres of the former Horseshoe Farm on Finchley Common. A further 94 acres were added in 1877, and the whole site was divided between Islington and Camden. The two halves are still managed separately today.

The fence that once ran west to east along the boundary has been removed, but its line is still marked on the ground. Visitors can wander from one borough's cemetery into the other without noticing a formal divide.

Who is buried here?

The cemetery holds many people tied to London's history:

• Henry Croft, the original "Pearly King", a council road sweeper and rat-catcher who covered his clothes in mother-of-pearl buttons to raise money for charity. The Pearly tradition remains a symbol of London street culture.
• Ford Madox Brown (1821–1893), the painter behind "The Last of England" and "Work".
• Ludwig Mond, Lord Melchett (1839–1909), for whom a Grecian-style mausoleum was built. It is Grade II listed.

War graves and relocated remains

The cemetery contains around 1,000 Commonwealth war graves from both World Wars, including 334 service personnel from the First World War and 265 from the Second.

Remains from closed churchyards were also moved to Finchley. In 1866 the building of the Midland Railway forced the disinterment of thousands of bodies, and some were reburied here.

Is it worth visiting?

It suits anyone interested in London history, funerary architecture, or a calm walk outside the centre. The grounds are extensive, with long avenues and historic monuments, so allow plenty of time.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the cemetery? In East Finchley, North London, within the London Borough of Barnet.

Who runs it? Two boroughs: Camden manages the St Pancras part and Islington manages the Islington part.

When was it founded? In 1854, as London's first municipal cemetery.

Are there notable graves? Yes, including Henry Croft, the painter Ford Madox Brown, and the Mond mausoleum.

Are there war graves? Yes, around 1,000 Commonwealth war graves from the two World Wars.