Total Posts: 19
Tom Fogarty visits cemeteries and writes about them. Not in an eerie, gothic way - more in a curious, observational manner. Graveyards as history, as biography, as the occasional unexpected delight. Here sit reflections, pictures, and thoughts you didn't know you needed.
There’s nothing quite like visiting a cemetery to remind you that life is fleeting – and that Londoners were exceptionally committed to making sure you never forget it. Between the 1830s and 1840s, as the city’s population ballooned and parish churchyards overflowed like a pint spilt at closing time, a series of grand suburban burial […]
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If you are the sort of person who actively seeks out cemeteries while on holiday, congratulations: you are either deeply cultured, quietly morbid, or simply tired of queues for cathedrals. Possibly all three. Either way, Milan’s Monumental Cemetery (Cimitero Monumentale) is very much your kind of place. This is not a modest parish graveyard with […]
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There are few places in London where you can pay your respects to a vampire novelist, a glam rock god, a jazz club legend, a pinwheel-eyed drummer, and Sigmund Freud – all in one brisk afternoon stroll. Welcome to Golders Green Crematorium, where the dearly departed are not only cremated, but quietly congregate in what […]
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Welcome to Highgate West Cemetery, where London’s dearly (and not-so-dearly) departed have been quietly decomposing in style since 1839. If you like your history dark, your architecture gothic, and your weekend walks garnished with a mild existential crisis, Highgate is your spot. Just don’t stray too far from the path – unless you fancy starring […]
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Cemeteries. There’s nothing quite like a peaceful stroll through a woodland graveyard to remind you of life’s fleeting nature and your own impending doom. But Highgate East Cemetery isn’t just a resting place – it’s a who’s who of famous corpses. From revolutionary thinkers to punk rock pioneers, this cemetery has an impressive lineup of […]
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London, a city steeped in history and architectural brilliance, boasts a collection of churches that stand as testament to the craftsmanship of the past. Among these, the works of Nicholas Hawksmoor, an eminent architect of the early 18th century, hold a special place. Hawksmoor’s London churches are not merely houses of the holy designated for […]
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The East Ham Jewish Cemetery, nestled in the bustling borough of Newham in East London, stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Jewish life and culture in the United Kingdom. Established in 1919, this burial ground not only serves as a resting place for the departed but also as a significant historical site, […]
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Nestled in the heart of South East London, Nunhead Cemetery stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and evolving urban landscape. As one of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries established in the Victorian era, Nunhead offers a unique glimpse into 19th-century London and provides a tranquil retreat from the bustling city streets. Opened in […]
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Welcome to the mysterious realm of Victorian London, where the infamous Jack the Ripper left an indelible mark on history. In this article, we embark on a chilling journey to unravel the secrets of the past and guide you through the intricate process of discovering the resting places of Jack the Ripper’s victims. From the […]
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Nestled within the bustling heart of London – not far from London Bridge in Southwark – lies a hauntingly evocative and historically significant site known as the Crossbones Graveyard. (Or as I like to call it, “The South London Cemetery for Scoundrels, Rascals, Harlots, and Ne’er-do-wells”). This once-forgotten burial ground has transcended its origins as […]
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I recently read My Manor, the autobiography of Charlie Richardson, the gangland boss who ran the south London crime firm, The Richardson Gang, along with his brother, Eddie. Also known as the “Torture Gang,” they were the rivals of the Krays in the 1960s, and these shady gangsters were notorious for the punishments they inflicted. […]
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Back in 2019, I found out about a mysterious grave dedicated to Tom Fog located somewhere in Hampstead Cemetery. I discovered this in a Reddit thread, which is always a highly reliable source of factual information on the internet. The existence of a headstone bearing my name appealed to me for manifold reasons: (1) I […]
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Kensal Green Cemetery – the final resting place for those who couldn’t quite make it to Highgate or simply preferred a more eclectic neighbourhood. Established in 1833, it’s the eldest of London’s “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, a term coined not for their grandeur but perhaps for the sheer number of Victorian egos interred within. A Brief […]
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Snuggled between the bustling streets of Chelsea and Fulham lies Brompton Cemetery, a serene 40-acre expanse where London’s elite and eccentric alike have chosen to spend eternity. Established in 1839, it’s one of the city’s “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries – a term that sounds more like a Western film than a solution to overcrowded churchyards. Designed […]
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In a leafy corner of Stoke Newington, Abney Park Cemetery stands as one of London’s famed “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries – a term that sounds more like a spaghetti western than a collection of Victorian burial grounds. Established in 1840, this 32-acre expanse was designed as a non-denominational garden cemetery, a revolutionary concept at a time […]
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In the heart of East London, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park – affectionately dubbed Bow Cemetery by locals – is a 27-acre Victorian burial ground turned urban oasis. Established in 1841 as one of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries designed to alleviate overcrowded churchyards, it has since evolved into a unique blend of history, nature, and community […]
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In the leafy embrace of Lambeth lies West Norwood Cemetery, a place where Victorian grandeur meets eternal repose. Established in 1837, it was London’s second of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries, designed to alleviate overcrowded parish graveyards. Sir William Tite, the architect behind the Royal Exchange, envisioned this Gothic Revival masterpiece, complete with winding paths and […]
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Tucked away in a corner of South East London, Nunhead Cemetery is a sprawling 52-acre necropolis that has achieved that elusive Victorian dream: being both a dignified resting place for the dead and a casual haunt for the living. Opened in 1840, it’s one of London’s “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, a collection of burial grounds established […]
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Nestled in the heart of North London, Highgate Cemetery is not just a resting place for the dead but also a playground for history buffs, gothic romantics, and overly enthusiastic amateur ghost hunters. Established in 1839 as part of the Victorian drive to make cemeteries less horrifying and more aesthetically pleasing, Highgate is where nature, […]
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