Inventory Site Record

Bells Hill Burial Ground was consecrated in 1895 by the Bishop of St Albans, and was established to provide for the parish of Chipping Barnet. Entered through a small lych-gate, older monuments are found to the north east of the cemetery where there are mature cedar, yew and other species of trees; more recent graves are to the west. The main path from the entrance gate has been narrowed in some places where new graves have been provided.

Previous / Other name:

Chipping Barnet Cemetery

Site location:

Bells Hill, Chipping Barnet

Postcode:

EN5 2SJ

What 3 Words:

glory.cowboy.runs

Type of site:

Cemetery

Borough:

Barnet

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

main gate: 9am-5pm; lower gate on Bells Hill: 9am-8.30pm or dusk if earlier

Special conditions:

No dogs

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: High Barnet (Northern) then bus. Bus 384.

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Research updated:

01/04/2002

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.barnet.gov.uk

Bells Hill Burial Ground was consecrated on 30 April 1895 by The Rt. Rev. John Wogan, Bishop of St Albans, and according to a plaque at the entrance 'was provided for the Ancient Parish of Chipping Barnet from the Funds of the Chancel Estate Trust founded by James Ravenscroft'. James Ravenscroft was, like his father Thomas, a major benefactor of the area who founded the Jesus Hospital almshouses for six 'poor women' on Wood Street in 1679, and whose elaborate family chapel is in St John's Church, High Barnet (q.v.). The entrance to the burial ground on Bells Hill is through a small Gothic-style brick lych-gate with tiled roof and painted wooden gates; there is no chapel and the cemetery is served by St Stephen's church further down Bells Hill. The north-eastern side has older monuments with mature cedar and yew trees amongst deciduous species. The western section has more recent graves with utilitarian modern headstones. The main path from the entrance gate has been narrowed in some places where it is being used to accommodate new graves, which are generally bedecked with flowers.

Sources consulted:

Jan Hewlett, Ian Yarham, David Curson, 'Nature Conservation in Barnet', London Ecology Unit, 1997.

Grid ref:

TQ236959 (523611,195975)

Size in hectares:

3.4

Site ownership:

Diocese of St Albans LB Barnet

Site management:

LB Barnet Leisure and Youth Services, Green Spaces Division

Date(s):

1895

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Local Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

Bells Hill Burial Ground, Lych-gate at entrance, August 2000. Photo S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.