St Mary's Churchyard, Battle, East Sussex

St Mary's Churchyard, Battle, East Sussex

Visited October 2016

St Mary's is a Norman church, founded c.1115 in the town of Battle (site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066). The church is close to the entrance to Battle Abbey, the main tourist attraction of the town, but the churchyard was deserted when I visited.

In the churchyard (closed to burials in the mid-19th century) there are mainly 18th and 19th century graves to be seen these days, some sheltering under a large yew tree. It's also worth visiting the church if it is open when you are there, as it's very historic, containing crosses carved of crusader's swords, and Medieval wall paintings.

St Peter-in-Thanet, Broadstairs, Kent

Churchyard of St Peter-in-Thanet, Broadstairs, Kent

Visited September 2017

The churchyard of St Peter-in-Thanet is near tot he railway station in the seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent. From the front it looks small and unassuming, but follow the path and it soon opens up into a large burial ground, which is apparently one of the longest in the county of Kent! 

The graves are mainly from the 19th century onwards, although one area holds a number of older gravestones bearing skulls and other symbols of memento mori. The earliest known gravestone there dates from 1623.

In spring and summer the well cared for churchyard is a haven for wildlife, and full of wildflowers. In the autumn it's still a green and peaceful place, where it would be all too easy to spend hours wandering. The historic church itself is also worth a visit, if it's open while you're there.

St Mary's Cemetery, Wandsworth

St Mary's Cemetery, Wandsworth, London

Visited June 2017

Despite it's name, this cemetery is only a few minutes walk away from the hustle and bustle of Northcote Road and Clapham Junction station. It's also known as Battersea Rise Cemetery, and Battersea St Mary's

The cemetery was opened in 1860, and the gothic style cemetery chapel is still intact. Most of the cemetery is landscaped, although there are some wilder areas and in one part the grass appeared to have been kept deliberately long to help wildlife.

It's a haven of tranquility. There was barely another visitor there on the sunny afternoon when I visited, despite the cemetery being almost surrounded by houses. Those that were there were mostly walking dogs, and took no notice of me and my camera.