Streatham Cemetery

Streatham Cemetery is a Victorian-era burial ground on Garratt Lane in Tooting, south London. Despite its name, it lies in the London Borough of Wandsworth, while day-to-day management belongs to Lambeth Council. It is a quiet, green corner of the city that rewards a slow walk.

Where is Streatham Cemetery?

The cemetery stands along Garratt Lane in Tooting, at roughly 51.433, -0.174. The name comes from the Streatham Burial Board that set it up, not from its current borough. That is why it sits in Wandsworth yet is run by Lambeth, as are two other Lambeth-managed cemeteries, West Norwood Cemetery and Lambeth Cemetery.

What is the history of the cemetery?

The site was created in the early 1890s, when this part of south London was still largely open land. Sources differ on the exact year, giving 1892, 1893 or 1894 depending on whether they refer to the founding or the first burials. The land was acquired under the Metropolitan Burial Act of 1852, one of the laws passed after the cholera epidemics of the mid-nineteenth century to move burials out of overcrowded churchyards and into larger cemeteries on the edge of the city. The cemetery was administered locally until 1965, when it passed into Lambeth's ownership.

What can you see there?

The architecture is in the Gothic Revival style. Two lodges and a pair of mirror-image chapels were designed by William Newton Dunn, and together they give the entrance area a symmetrical, formal character typical of Victorian cemetery design.

Among the monuments are memorials linked to nineteenth-century musicians, composers, dancers and music hall performers. Burials include the artist, author and poet Sir Wyke Bayliss (1835-1906) and Edward Foster VC, a recipient of the Victoria Cross.

The cemetery also contains Commonwealth war graves. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records 216 burials from the First World War and 167 from the Second World War, which makes it a place of remembrance as well as local history.

Is it good for nature and walking?

Like many Victorian cemeteries, the grounds work as an urban green space. The site is recognised as a local wildlife site, and the mix of mature trees, grass and old stonework supports birds and other wildlife. It is a calm place for a short walk, photography of Victorian funerary architecture, or a bit of local history research.

Frequently asked questions

Is Streatham Cemetery in Streatham? No. It is in Tooting, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, although it is managed by Lambeth.

Who manages the cemetery? Lambeth Council, which also manages West Norwood Cemetery and Lambeth Cemetery.

Who designed the chapels and lodges? William Newton Dunn designed the two lodges and the two mirror-image Gothic chapels.

Are there war graves? Yes. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records 216 First World War and 167 Second World War burials.

Is it still in use? Lambeth's information describes it as an active cemetery. It is a working burial ground, so visitors should be respectful of funerals and mourners.

How do I get there? Head for Garratt Lane in Tooting. The cemetery is in the same area as other Tooting sights, so it combines easily with a wider walk through south-west London.