Discover Histon Road Cemetery

Listed Grade II* by Historic England (only Grade I is higher), it is the best surviving example of a "garden cemetery" designed by polymath and leading horticulturalist and garden designer of his day, John Claudius Loudon.

Visitors can follow the pleasing central route through the Cemetery from Histon Road or wander off the beaten track to discover war graves and carefully managed wildflower meadow areas and wildlife pond.

As a Nonconformist cemetery, it holds the remains of those refused entry to university who turned their considerable talents elsewhere: family networks recorded here include entrepreneurs, artists, social reformers, domestic servants, shopkeepers, tradesmen and missionaries.

We have stories of local figures whose names will be familiar to older residents and some whose names are known across the world - the family of the local woman after whom Alice Springs is named, a link to Captain Bligh of The Bounty, to the author of "Time Bandits", to a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallist, the burial place of the turnkey of Cambridge prison, philanthropists and campaigners for the poor and for workers' and women's rights. Family names on tombs and vaults - Thoday, Mitcham, Sturton - connect Cambridge past with Cambridge present, and the memorials to those lost in war remind us of the debt we owe.

We will have displays about the Cemetery, the ordinary and extraordinary people buried here and tours around it. Come and discover more about us!

Timings & Tours

Sunday 15 September:

1100-1600

Location & directions

Histon Road Cemetery, Histon Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 3LE

Directions:

There are two entrances to Histon Road Cemetery. The main one is towards the town end of Histon Road almost opposite The Grapes pub and is marked by the Victorian Lodge building and pillared gates. The other is at the corner of Victoria Road and French's Road opposite The Carpenter's Arms pub. The nearest parking is at Castle Hill Car Park.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Step free access

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