Chapels, lodges and crypt open to the public
West Lodge, Bath Road, Arnos Vale, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS4 3EW
Queen Victoria was new to the throne when Arnos Vale opened in 1839. Arnos Vale Cemetery was designed to be visually attractive in the style of a walled Greek Necropolis, with neo-classical mortuary chapels and gate lodges set in a beautiful garden of trees and plants noted in classical legend, with the backdrop of a steep hillside terraced like an amphitheatre.
Today, the 45 acre site is of considerable ecological importance, having progressed from mediaeval countryside to Georgian estate to Victorian Cemetery to the present day with almost no use of chemical pesticides or insecticides, it is now a rare urban haven for wildlife and plants.
There are four fine buildings within the Cemetery – two Entrance Lodges and two Mortuary Chapels (Anglican and Non-conformist). All four buildings are listed Grade II*. Designed by Charles Underwood and built using the finest materials so that the high quality of the building probably saved them from even greater dereliction, given their lack of maintenance and attention over the last two decades of the 20th century.The Lodges with their Doric columns were the working office buildings and the home to the cemetery superintendent and his family. They were linked by a tunnel running under the main drive-in area between them so that day to day movement would not interfere with funeral processions passing through the gates.
The Ionic styled Non-conformist Chapel is more elegant than the Lodges but still with sufficient moral simplicity t
Timings & Tours
- Friday 06 September:
- 10-4
- Saturday 07 September:
- 10-4
- Sunday 08 September:
- 10-4
- Monday 09 September:
- 10-4
- Tuesday 10 September:
- 10-4
- Wednesday 11 September:
- 10-4
- Thursday 12 September:
- 10-4
Location & directions
West Lodge, Bath Road, Arnos Vale, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS4 3EW
- Directions:
- By bicycle: cycle racks are available. On foot: enter from the main Bath Road entrance, from Cemetery Road, or via Arnos Park. By train: the nearest station is Temple Meads, a mile to the west. By bus: services 1, X39, 57, 178 and 349 stop by the Bath Road gates. By car: use postcode BS4 3EW in your sat-nav to bring you to the main Bath Road entrance. There is limited parking by the chapels. Vehicle gates on Bath Road are open from 9am - 5pm, every day. The pedestrian gates at Arnos Park and Cemetery Road are always open. Our Gift Shop is open from 10.30am - 4pm. Our Café, Books of Remembrance room, and Toilets are all open from 10am - 4pm.
- Contact on day:
- Janine Marriott
- Telephone number:
- +441179719117
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The historic nature of the site and the sloping landscape mean that not all spaces are fully accessible. However: There is a blue badge parking space outside each chapel. The Ceremonial Way, leading from the main gates to the Anglican Chapel, Spielman Centre and café, is flat and fully tarmacked. The café and the Spielman Centre have sloped access and steps with handrails. There is a lift to the accessible toilet. Temporary ramps lead into both the West Lodge (Books of Remembrance room) and the East Lodge (shop and reception)
