Twickenham Cemetery

Twickenham Cemetery is a Victorian municipal cemetery on Hospital Bridge Road in Whitton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Despite the name, it sits a little away from central Twickenham, toward Whitton, and the council of Richmond looks after it. For anyone interested in history, architecture or quiet walks, it makes a rewarding stop off the usual London sightseeing trail.

How did the cemetery begin?

The cemetery was founded in 1868 by the Twickenham Burial Board. The reason was practical: through the nineteenth century the local churchyards were filling up, and the area needed fresh ground for burials. In the 1880s the site was enlarged, once the parish churchyards were closed to new interments. The original plot covered roughly eight acres.

What is there to see?

The most striking features are the cemetery chapels, designed by Charles Jones, the Ealing Borough Surveyor. They are a pair of Gothic Revival buildings, each topped with a spire, linked by a porte-cochere, a covered carriageway. This arrangement was typical of Victorian English cemeteries and shows the taste of the age well. A lodge dating from around 1930 also stands on the grounds.

Another curiosity is the garden devoted to variety artistes. It holds a classical marble column raised by the Variety Artistes Benevolent Fund and Institution, a charity that supported entertainers. This corner is a reminder of Britain's music hall tradition.

Who is buried here?

Burials include:

• Hylda Baker, comedienne, actress and music hall performer (died 1986),
• Ernst Roth, music publisher (died 1971),
• Jonathan Peel, MP and Secretary of State for War in 1858-59,
• Herbert Mills Birdwood, British Indian judge and naturalist (died 1907).

Some details about notable burials in public sources are not fully verified, so treat lists of famous names with some caution.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery? On Hospital Bridge Road in Whitton, in south-west London.

Is it the same as Borough Cemetery? No. Borough Cemetery is a separate site in Whitton, run by a different borough. Nor should it be confused with Holly Road Garden of Rest in Twickenham, which is another, former cemetery.

Can I look up burial records? Yes. Richmond council offers information from the cemetery registers for family historians, with entries going back to 1868.

Is it a good place to visit? If you enjoy Victorian architecture or local history, or simply want some peace, yes. It is still a working cemetery, so be respectful of other visitors and of mourning families.

Who is it for?

London history lovers, genealogists, architecture photographers and anyone who likes discovering lesser-known corners of the capital away from tourist crowds. It is easy to reach from central London by public transport, and a walk along the paths takes about an hour if you want to see the chapels, the artistes' garden and a few chosen memorials.