by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:25th January 2019

The Greeks, a cook & a potter…

(Here's 3 reasons you may want to visit, but there's more...)

Still not being able to shake off my unusual allure with a cemetery, we find ourselves at another of London's "Magnificent Seven"; West Norwood Cemetery to be exact.

I say find ourselves, once again Gary succumbs to my insistence that while we're visiting London, I suggest that we "pop" into West Norwood Cemetery.

West Norwood Cemetery was built in 1836, along with six other large private cemeteries during the 19th century; this was to alleviate the overcrowding in London.

The most well-known of these, I would think, is Highgate Cemetery (and yes, that is on my list to visit).

We visited Brompton cemetery last year, so, I've started to tick them off.

The pin imagae for the post - 'A visit to West Norwood Cemetery, London
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The image shows a collection of weathered and ornate gravestones and crosses in West Norwood Cemetery, bathed in the warm light filtering through bare winter trees. The intricate carvings and varying styles of the memorials speak to the rich history and Victorian-era design of this significant London burial ground.
Old headstones in West Norwood Cemetery
I love history, and to me, the intrigue of the individual stories that lie behind the cold, grey headstones is the fascination.
The image shows a weathered gravestone in West Norwood Cemetery, London, partially covered in ivy. The inscription reads "In Loving Remembrance of John Fogg Shorey, born in the State of Maine, U.S.A., died in London June 6th 1907, aged 81 years."
The headstone to John Fogg Shorey
So, Gary and I set off to discover some snippets of history on a bright but cold winter Sunday morning in January.

Where is West Norwood Cemetery?

How to get to West Norwood Cemetery

- By Train
You can catch a Southern Railways train to West Norwood from London Bridge/Charing Cross or Victoria mainline railway stations, and the journey will take you under an hour.

- By Car
There is very limited parking at West Norwood Cemetery and on the side streets around it. If you're a fan of What3Words then the main entrance gate can be found at ///expand.carbon.volunteered.

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Notable burials West Norwood Cemetery

Maxim machine gun
Perhaps not the most upbeat of subjects; however, for Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim, it was his automatic machine gun that made him famous. Originally born in Maine, USA, Hiram was bestowed a knighthood by Queen Victoria.  However, he received it from Edward VII in 1901, shortly after the Queen’s death.
The image shows the elaborate memorial to Sir Hiram Maxim and his family in West Norwood Cemetery, London, featuring an ornate stone canopy supported by columns and topped with a cross. A statue of a winged figure stands beneath the canopy, and inscribed stone blocks detail the names and dates of the deceased.
The grave of Sir Hiram Maxim
The image shows a blue Greater London Council plaque affixed to a weathered brick wall. The plaque commemorates Sir Hiram Maxim (1840-1916), an inventor and engineer who designed and manufactured the Maxim gun in a workshop on these premises.
The Blue Plaque to Sir Hiram Maxim
We didn’t look for it, but we also came across a blue plaque for Sir Hiram Maxim while we were in Clerkenwell. This plaque was to highlight the workshop where he manufactured the Maxim gun.

The Greek Orthodox section West Norwood Cemetery

The Necropolis
Well, I didn't expect to come across a Greek Orthodox Necropolis! You'll see a gated enclosure at a higher point within West Norwood cemetery. You're free to roam around, but some of the mausoleums and monuments are in need of a little TLC, so it's at your own risk that you wander around.
The image shows the grand, neo-classical entrance to a building within West Norwood Cemetery, London, featuring large stone columns and intricate architectural details. The structure stands under a soft, slightly overcast sky, with bare winter trees visible to the right.
The Greek Necropolis in West Norwood Cemetery

There was no stopping us; 19 of the graves within the Greek section are listed, so there's a considerable amount of history here.  
 
We encountered the impressive mausoleum for Panayis Athanase Vagliano, a renowned Greek merchant and shipowner. Then, a headstone a lot smaller, however, equally striking as the tiny inlaid tiles were so colourful and ornate.

The image shows a Victorian-era mausoleum with a prominent cross on top, situated amongst numerous other gravestones and crosses in West Norwood Cemetery, London. Bare winter trees cast long shadows across the scene under a clear, pale blue sky.
Panayis Athanase Vagliano’s mausoleum
The image features a distinctive grave marker in West Norwood Cemetery, London, adorned with a vibrant mosaic depicting a winged angel holding a chalice. Below the mosaic, an inscription reads "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD HE THAT FOLLOWETH ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS BUT SHALL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE."
A striking Greek headstone

Have You?

Visited any unusual cemeteries around the world? I’d love for you to share them with me.

A West Norwood Cemetery tour

Discover the Potter
This eye-catching terracotta mausoleum is the Doulton family vault from the “Royal Doulton“ fame. It is now a Grade II listed building and is constructed out of pottery tiles and bricks from the Doulton Works.
The image shows the striking terracotta mausoleum of Sir Henry Doulton in West Norwood Cemetery, London, bathed in warm sunlight under a clear blue sky. The ornate Gothic-style structure stands prominently amongst other weathered gravestones and monuments in the historic cemetery.
Sir Henry Doulton’s mausoleum
We have our own little piece of Royal Doulton, and that’s the limited-edition Bulldog “Jack” as seen on the desk of “M” in the James Bond film Skyfall.
A Royal Doulton china Bulldog, in a seated postion, wearing a Union Jack 'coat' on my desk at home. This is the same piece that features in the James Bond movie 'Skyfall'.
Jack from Skyfall, by Royal Doulton

Another Famous name at West Norwood Cemetery

The Cook
A very low-key headstone is that of Mrs Beeton. It took us a while to find her grave, but I particularly wanted to see it as I have a copy of Mrs Beeton’s Family Cookery book.
The image shows a weathered gravestone with surrounding stone borders in West Norwood Cemetery, London, amidst fallen leaves and patches of green moss. The inscription on the headstone is worn and partially obscured, hinting at the passage of time in this historic burial ground.
The grave of Mrs Beeton
The image shows a close-up of several books standing upright on a shelf. The most prominent book is "Mrs. Beeton's Family Cookery," featuring a dark blue cover with ornate gold lettering and a decorative illustration.
Mrs Beeton's Family Cookery book
Her most well-known book is from 1861 and named Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.

Find out more

The Friends of West Norwood Cemetery is a great resource if you want to discover more. With links to deceasedonline.com and findagrave.com to help you find a specifi grave or memorial you may be interested in. There is also information on tours available at West Norwood Cemetery.

West Norwood Cemetery architecture

And the Banker
Standing quite prominent when you enter the West Norwood cemetery is the mausoleum of James William Gilbart. James Gilbart was the General Manager of the London and Westminster Bank 1833–1859.
The image shows a paved pathway winding through West Norwood Cemetery in London on a sunny day. Elaborate Victorian-era tombs and monuments of various styles, including a tall Gothic spire and a domed structure, line both sides of the path, set amongst green grass and bare winter trees under a clear blue sky.
The mausoleum of James William Gilbart
The Gothic Revival mausoleum is now a Grade II-listed structure.

Point to Note

If you also have this strange fascination with cemeteries like me, then Nunhead Cemetery is only a few miles from West Norwood. This is also one of London’s “Magnificent Seven”.

West Norwood Cemetery history

The Surgeon and a Mariner
Within West Norwood cemetery is also the tomb of William Marsden MD, a surgeon. However, his best-known achievements are setting up the Royal Free Hospital (in 1828) and the Royal Marsden Hospital (in 1851), to enable the poor to obtain medical treatment. These two hospitals are still in operation today.
The image shows a tall, cylindrical gravestone with inscriptions, situated in West Norwood Cemetery, London, surrounded by fallen leaves and the bare branches of trees under a bright sky. In the background stands a weathered stone mausoleum with a dark, arched doorway, typical of the Victorian architecture found in this historic cemetery.
The grave of William Marsden
The image shows a weathered stone tomb adorned with carvings and inscriptions, topped with a sculpture of a ship. The inscription commemorates John Wimble, noting his 34 years at sea, and his wife Mary Ann, who shared in some of his perils.
The tomb of John Wimble
Another vault that caught our eye was that of Captain John Wimble, with a sailing ship on the side. I'm always attracted to anything with a boaty theme. Mr Wimble spent 34 of his 54 years on the seas

Exploring West Norwood Cemetery

So much to discover
I suppose visiting a cemetery isn't the most fun of days out, but it certainly gives you an insight into the history of our lives.
The image shows the weathered and vine-covered grave of Francis Day in West Norwood Cemetery, London, featuring a large stone cross with a sculpted figure embracing it. Sunlight filters through the surrounding trees, illuminating the memorial and the serene, overgrown setting of this historic cemetery.
The grave of Francis Day
It's incredible that just a few of these people buried here at West Norwood Cemetery made a significant impact on people's lives.

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