Abney Park Cemetery
On a recent trip to London to visit friends I also took the opportunity to visit Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington, in the London borough of Hackney. It is one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries and a peaceful Saturday afternoon was spent exploring the place. It’s no secret I love cemeteries (the older the better) and wouldn’t think twice about spending an afternoon wandering around one and taking photos.
In 1840 Abney Park became a non-denominational garden cemetery and semi-public park arboretum, and today it is used by local residents who walk, jog, picnic, hang out and drink there.
Amongst the dark delights I discovered were an abandoned gothic chapel in the middle of the grounds and various catacombs amongst the overgrown and hauntingly beautiful walkways; themselves flanked by landscaped woodlands. Everything is wildly overgrown and atmospheric.
Amongst the dead interned in Abney Park are William and Catherine Booth, founders of The Salvation Army. Here are (but a few!) of the photographs I took whilst wafting around there on a strangely mild November afternoon...
In 1840 Abney Park became a non-denominational garden cemetery and semi-public park arboretum, and today it is used by local residents who walk, jog, picnic, hang out and drink there.
Amongst the dark delights I discovered were an abandoned gothic chapel in the middle of the grounds and various catacombs amongst the overgrown and hauntingly beautiful walkways; themselves flanked by landscaped woodlands. Everything is wildly overgrown and atmospheric.
Amongst the dead interned in Abney Park are William and Catherine Booth, founders of The Salvation Army. Here are (but a few!) of the photographs I took whilst wafting around there on a strangely mild November afternoon...
Comments
Id love to forward you an email regarding blog content. Is there an email i can reach you at?
Anna
IndustryWorks Picutres
Vancouver, BC
Canada
Alas Wes, the last time I was in Paris I was about 12 on a school trip! I'd love to go back - and Pere-Lachaise will be on my list of things to do. Thanks for the link! ;)
Bananabones you can email me at the_outsider [at] live [dot] co [dot] uk - look forward to hearing from you.
I too, love cemeteries, and though the ones here in the states are nowhere near as old, I still love a meandering stroll through any of them. It's a peaceful way to pass a few hours and I love to read the stones.
This cemetery is thoroughly atmospheric and beautiful. I doubt we have any as striking over here, though I was moved by all the history at Gettysburg when we visited it - all those soldiers lost in our Civil War, their spirits just hung in the air, you could feel it. I want to go back soon.
And James - you have a fantastic eye for photography! Any of these would be wonderful framed and hung.
Would love to see more :)
Hope you're well - I promise to stop procrastinating and write to you soon! :)
Thanks for sharing.
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