The Magnificent Seven - 4 Nunhead

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Due to overcrowding in London's parish churchyards during the early 19th century, seven private cemeteries were build. They became known as the Magnificent Seven.

These were much larger suburban burial areas just outside the city centre. Christopher Wren said that they should be "inclosed with a strong Brick Wall, and having a walk round, and two cross walks, decently planted with Yew-trees."

They were all established within ten years following an 1832 act of Parliament. The cemeteries are:

  1. Kensal Green Cemetery - 1833
  2. West Norwood Cemetery - 1837
  3. Highgate Cemetery - West 1839 East 1854
  4. Abney Park Cemetery - 1840
  5. Brompton Cemetery - 1840
  6. Nunhead Cemetery - 1840
  7. Tower Hamlets Cemetery - 1841
I decided to visit all seven on separate runs. I was tempted to try and do them all in one go, but didn't fancy a whole day in graveyards.

NUNHEAD

This was the place I was least looking forward to. It was the closest to home and for some reason I had decided that for this reason it wouldn't be very interesting. How wrong I was.

Nunhead cemetery is the second largest of the seven with a stunning view of St Paul's cathedral from its highest point.

It is a local nature reserve. It is a rambling, woodland with trails criss-crossing one another. Graves range from the grand mausoleums to worn headstones, many draped in foliage and toppling over. There is an abundance of wildlife to see and hear.

The Anglican chapel is in a state of disrepair, but a stunning piece of architecture. There is also a memorial to the nine sea scouts who died in the Leysdown tragedy off the Isle of Sheppey in 1912.









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