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Inventory Site Record

Willesden New Cemetery (Brent)

Brief Description

Willesden Local Board purchased this land in 1888 for Willesden New Cemetery. The cemetery opened 1891 and was so-named to distinguish it from the burial ground at St Mary's Willesden, which then became known as Willesden Old Cemetery. The cemetery was simply laid out with straight paths and originally had a pair of chapels, now demolished. It has an unusually sylvan character with its many trees. Willesden Civilian War Memorial, was erected to commemorate local people who died in WWII.

Practical Information
Site location:
Franklyn Road, Willesden
Postcode:
NW10 9TE
What 3 Words:
trials.school.frogs
Type of site:
Cemetery
Borough:
Brent
Open to public?
Yes
Opening times:
9am - 4pm (Jan/Feb/Nov/Dec) - 5pm (Oct) - 6pm (Mar) - 7pm (April, Sept) - 8pm (May - August)..
Special conditions:
Facilities:
Toilets
Events:
Public transport:
Tube: Dollis Hill (Jubilee). Bus: 260, 266, 297.
Research updated:
01/07/2009
Last minor changes:
19/07/2023

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

Full Site Description

Willesden Local Board purchased c.10.5 hectares of land in 1888 for Willesden New Cemetery, which opened 1891, so called to distinguish it from the burial ground at St Mary's Willesden (q.v.) which then became known as Willesden Old Cemetery. £20,000 was spent on the purchase and laying out of the ground and a pair of 'unique Pont Street Dutch' chapels was erected, designed by Mr C H Worley, now demolished. The layout of paths in the cemetery is simple and straight, but it has an unusually sylvan character deriving from the preponderance and density of deciduous planting. Among the trees are horse chestnut, Lombardy and hybrid poplar, willow and a circus of horse chestnut. There was once a lime walk to the Willesden Civilian War Memorial, which was erected in tribute to local people who died in WWII.

Sources consulted:

Hugh Meller & Brian Parsons, 'London Cemeteries, An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer', 4th edition (The History Press, 2008); Victoria County History; Bridget Cherry and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 3: North West' (Penguin, 1999 ed); LB Brent Cemeteries web page

Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
Grid ref:
TQ217844 (521837,184381)
Size in hectares:
10.53
Site ownership:
LB Brent
Site management:
Cemeteries and Mortuaries Service
Date(s):
1891
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 - Borough Importance II - see note
Green Belt:
No
Metropolitan Open Land:
No
Special Policy Area:
No
Other LA designation:
Nature Conservation Area: included with Roundwood Park, Willesden New Cemetery and Liberal Jewish Cemetery
Photos

Willesden New Cemetery

Willesden New Cemetery, March 2001. Photo: S Williams

Willesden New Cemetery,  Boundary wall with Roundwood Park beyond, March 2001. Photo: S Williams
2001
Willesden New Cemetery, March 2001. Photo: S Williams
2001
Willesden New Cemetery, Entrance, March 2001. Photo: S Williams
2001

Click a photo to enlarge.

Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.