Tower Hamlets Cemetery (City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery) (Bow Cemetery)

For hundreds of years people were buried in their local churchyards, of which there are many in and around the city. However, following a mass migration of people to London, during the industrial revolution, the population exploded from 1 million to 2.3 million in just 50 years, resulting in churchyards becoming full.

In 1832, an Act of Parliament encouraged the creation of private garden cemeteries, outside of central London, as a way to relieve pressure on local churchyards. Various companies were formed, land bought and, between 1833 and 1845, eight private cemeteries were opened. They were: Kensal Green (1833), West Norwood (1837), Highgate (1839), Abney Park (1840), Brompton (1840), Nunhead (1840), City of London and Tower Hamlets (1841) and Victoria Park Cemetery (1845).

Local business men formed the City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery and Company and proceeded to purchase 27 acres of London. Thomas Wyatt and David Brandon laid out the cemetery on drained open fields, with winding paths and ornamental trees. They also designed two chapels that sat within the cemetery.

On September 4, 1841, Walter Gray became the first interment in the cemetery and, by 1861, 80% of burials were in public graves. By 1889 a quarter of a million people had been buried. The deceased came from all walks of life. Mothers and fathers lie next to their children, surrounded by campaigners, merchants, philanthropists, sailors, shipbuilders, tradesmen and many others.

During World War II the cemetery was heavily bombed, with the two chapels being severely damaged, along with some of the many memorials.

By 1966, the cemetery was overgrown and full to capacity, with the company close to bankruptcy. The Greater London Authority made a compulsory purchase order and closed the cemetery, having been given permission to turn it into a grassed public park. However, local opposition to the plans, which involved the removal of the gravestones, saw the scheme scrapped.

In 1986, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets took control of the site.

In 1990, the 'Friends' were formed as a local charity and, through a Service Level Agreement with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, to manage Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and the Ackroyd Road GreenLink Local Nature Reserve.

In 2001, the site was designated as a local nature reserve. It is also a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and a conservation area.

The woodland has a wide variety of fauna to attract wildlife, making it a wonderful place to walk around all year round.

Some of the trees that can be seen include Ash, Common Limes, Elm, London Planes, Oak, Poplar, Sycamore, Willow and Yew, with some trees dating back to the 18th century. 

Then there are the wildflowers that include Bluebells, Foxgloves, Primroses, Ramsons, Red Campions, Snowdrops, Sweet Violets, Wild Daffodils and Winter Aconites, to name but a few. Hawthorn and Holly are also in abundance.

The wildlife that can be seen, or sometimes only heard, includes Bank Voles, Bats, Foxes, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Hedgehogs, Jays, Parakeets, Squirrels, Wood Mice, over 30 species of butterfly, and countless insects and invertebrates.

The walls surrounding the cemetery and seven of the memorials, within the cemetery, are Grade II listed.

Over 200 military personnel, killed during World War I, are buried within the cemetery.

Gallery