Warstone Lane Cemetery

Warstone Lane Cemetery is a historic Victorian burial ground in Hockley, in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Dating from the mid-19th century and closed to new burials since 1982, it is one of the most atmospheric places in the city for a quiet walk through local history.

Where is it?

The cemetery sits in the Jewellery Quarter, the old district of jewellers and metalworkers, close to its sister site, Key Hill Cemetery. The two are easy to combine in one walk, and the surrounding streets are full of Victorian workshops and jewellery-related museums. You may also see it called Brookfields Cemetery, Church of England Cemetery or Mint Cemetery.

How did it begin?

The site was partly a disused sand quarry. The Church of England Cemetery Company, formed in 1845, created the cemetery as a burial ground for Anglicans, because nearby Key Hill (1836) had been used mainly by Nonconformists. Sources differ on the opening date: some give 1847, others describe a consecration in 1848.

What makes the catacombs special?

The standout feature is the set of catacombs built into the old quarry face. The circular, multi-tiered structure was finally completed around 1880 (sources disagree on the number of tiers). Coffins could be lowered from the chapel straight into the vaults below by a hydraulic lift. Unhealthy vapours from the catacombs raised public health concerns and fed into the Birmingham Cemeteries Act, which required coffins not buried in the ground to be sealed with lead or pitch.

The catacombs are not generally open to the public, but the curving arcade can be admired from outside. Restoration work has been reported.

Good to know

• The cemetery chapel was demolished in 1954. Birmingham City Council had compulsorily purchased the site in 1952, and burials ended in 1982.
• The surviving gate lodge is a Grade II listed building.
• The cemetery holds 64 Commonwealth war graves.
• Notable burials include the typographer John Baskerville and Harry Gem, a pioneer of lawn tennis.
• The Friends of Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries campaign group works to preserve the site.

Frequently asked questions

Is Warstone Lane Cemetery still in use? No. It closed to new burials in 1982 and is now a heritage site.

Can you go inside the catacombs? Generally not, as they are closed to the public. You can see them from outside.

Why does it have several names? It has been known as Brookfields Cemetery, Church of England Cemetery and Mint Cemetery, reflecting its history and surroundings.

Should I visit Key Hill as well? Yes. Both cemeteries lie in the Jewellery Quarter and together show how different religious communities buried their dead in Victorian Birmingham.

Who is it best for? History and architecture lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants a calm walk away from the busy city centre.