The Magnificent Seven - 1 West Norwood

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.

WEST NORWOOD

My first run took me to West Norwood Cemetery. Originally known as the South Metropolitan Cemetery, this was the first to use the Gothic style. It has an active crematorium and over 42,000 graves with over 200,000 interments. 

It is famous for its sepulchral monuments and has over 69 Grade II and Grade II* listed structures including catacombs necropolis and mausolea. There is also a Greek Orthodox burial ground.

Notable include Sir Henry Tate, of sugar fame and founder of London's Tate Gallery, Paul Julius Baron von Reuter who founded Reuters news agency, Mary Beeton the cookery writer and Revd. Charles Spurgeon who founded Spurgeons College.