Kensal Green Cemetery, London (3-10-2005)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

This great London cemetery was established in the second quarter of the 19th century and was the first one outside the city limits. It was founded by the barrister George Frederick Carden after he saw Père-Lachaise in Paris. Kensal Green is London's oldest public burial ground.
The cemetery is a perfect representation of Victorian values, tastes, ideals and beliefs. It was a highly fashionable burialground, especially after two of George the IIIrd's children were buried here. And it was also fashionable to visit this cemetery in that age and walk it's beautiful lanes.


So totally in accordance to Victorian fashion we walk the lanes and see the superb collection of monuments varying from neo-Greek to neo-Gothic to modern 21st century graves.
Yes, this grand place is still in use today! Between half sunken Victorian stones and angels are modern graves with little colored glass stones on them (green, blue, purplish even!), there are memorial benches, football flags and even a grave with birthday balloons!

Eventhough it's still being used the cemetery is a tranquil and eerie place. Behind trees sepulchres loom which you cannot reach. The ground is covered with ivy on some places and feels soft. Several parts look as if at any moment zombies or vampires may appear. And it's a sunny day today!

Not many of the names on the graves will ring a bell so it's recommendable to buy a guide. In this guide you can read about the notable monuments here and their inhabitants. Not many of them are very famous but there's Byron's first wife Anne Isabella Milbanke, a famous tightrope walker called Blondin who crossed the Niagara Falls in 1860 on a rope and several other interesting but not very well known nowadays people.

If you are in London you must certainly visit this cemetery because it's a perfect place to have a nice and quiet stroll. It's very easy to reach too: just take the Bakerloo line to Kensal Green and you are already there! For more info: http://www.kensalgreen.co.uk/

See you there next time! -makes suave bow-