Nunhead Cemetery

Nunhead Cemetery, one of London's Magnificent Seven Cemeteries. It opened in 1840 and is the second largest of London's Victorian Cemeteries. The cemetery occupies 52 acres which rises 200 feet above sea level at it's highest point, offering extensive views over the city of London and St Paul Cathedral. Unfortunately, Nunhead fell victim to the 2nd world war which resulted in irreparable bomb damage to the small Chapel. Four hundred interesting personalities were laid to rest at the cemetery between 1840 and 1998, but when we arrived, it looked to us as though a burial service was going on. There were cars lined up in the streets and cars parked down one of the roads, along with a gathering crowd up on a hill. We'd read that it was closed to burials, so this was confusing. We decided to return another day.

Interestingly, part of the Cemetery is now a nature reserve, supporting a diverse range of both native and exotic plants. Sixteen species of butterflies have been found and the wooded area provides nesting sites for woodpeckers, warblers, and jays.