Inventory Site Record

Plashet Jewish Cemetery was opened by the United Synagogue Company in 1896 on a rectangular site, simply laid out on a grid pattern. Originally there was a central prayer hall, which was demolished following bomb damage, but a small brick building is sited just inside the main entrance. The tombstones are generally in straight rows and surrounded by gravel, and while most are simple, among them are monuments topped with columns and urns, and a few family plots set with balustrades. The cemetery was known as the Trade Unionists Cemetery and past secretaries of the Cigars Union and Costermongers Union are buried here.

Site location:

361 High Street North, Manor Park

Postcode:

E12 6PQ

What 3 Words:

peanut.album.spirit

Type of site:

Cemetery

Borough:

Newham

Open to public?

By appointment only

Opening times:

Contact the Burial Society on 020 8518 2868 in advance, who will then make arrangements to unlock the gates at an agreed time.

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: East Ham (District/Hammersmith & City). Bus: 101, 104, 147, 238, 300, 325.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

24/03/2026

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.theus.org.uk

The land for the cemetery was purchased in 1888, although it was not until 1896 that Plashet Jewish Cemetery opened. The former entrance lodge is no longer in cemetery use. The only greenery is an avenue of small, pollarded chestnut trees, some now dead, which line the main path through the graveyard. Among those buried here was Sir John De Villiers, knighted for his work in connection with the Venezuelan - Surinam frontier negotiations, and librarian and Deputy Keeper of Printed Books and Head of the Map Room at the British Museum. 

The cemetery has 48 graves of those who died in WWI, recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. These include 40 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war and 2 German burials.

The cemetery suffered serious vandalism in May 2003 when 386 tombstones were vandalised. The cemetery has been closed since at least 2010, only opening by appointment. It is one of three Jewish cemeteries established in Newham, the others being West Ham Jewish Cemetery (1858-1965) and East Ham Jewish Cemetery (q.q.v.), the later the only one remaining open.

Sources consulted:

Hugh Meller & Brian Parsons, 'London Cemeteries, An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer', 4th edition (The History Press, 2008); The United Synagogue website; Sharman Kadish 'Jewish Heritage in England: An Architectural Guide' (English Heritage, 2006); Miriam Pollak, 'Plashet, Gone, But Not Forgotten, 1896-1900' (Plashet Services, 2013); https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/38305/plashet-jewish-cemetery/

Grid ref:

TQ420848 (542050,184850)

Size in hectares:

5.67

Site ownership:

The United Synagogue

Site management:

The United Synagogue

Date(s):

1896

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:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None