Southampton Old Cemetery
Address: Cemetery Road, The Common, Southampton.
The Old Southampton Cemetery is one of England’s earliest municipal cemeteries and is located on the Southampton Common.
Parts of this cemetery are listed Grade II on English Heritage's Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Established by the Southampton Cemetery Act of 1843 It was landscaped by W H Rogers, a local nurseryman and the first burial took place on 8th May 1846. The Cemetery was extended northwards in 1863 and eastwards in 1886.
The Cemetery is in itself important historically as a record of the people of Southampton and over the years a great diversity of wildlife has developed in it. For these reasons, the City Council has decided that the cemetery will be maintained in such a way as to preserve the diversity of flora and fauna, whilst maintaining its historical interest, and its continuing as a burial ground. A public opinion survey overwhelmingly supported the decision. This conservation management approach means that in order to encourage and preserve the diversity of wildlife species, some of which are only found in certain areas, mowing of various areas of the cemetery will be carried out at different times of the year, and at different frequencies within those areas. A map has been produced showing what areas of the Cemetery are mowed at what frequency, see related document.
The cemetery covers 27 acres and over 116,000 burials have taken place since 1846. (2005)
The cemetery has a number of graves associated with the Titanic, Battle of Waterloo, Charge of the Light Brigade, the Indian Mutiny and Boer War.
Approximately eight burials a year now take place.
For further information visit the Friends of the Old Cemetery web site
NB. There is no permanent staff at the above location.
All enquiries to:
Address: Bereavement Services
Postcode: SO142AJ
Telephone: 023 8022 8609
Email: bereavement.services@southampton.gov.uk
Fax: 023 8033 0364
Train and Bus timetables are available on the operators Web Sites, use the links on the right hand side of this page. Click here for a location map.
Other Cemeteries in Southampton
Last updated: 19 November 2008
