This Victorian gem is much more underrated than the likes of Highgate
For those looking for new walking routes to explore in London, a cemetery may not be the first place that springs to mind – but for those who love history and nature, cemeteries can be the ideal place to blend the two.
When it comes to Victorian cemeteries, Highgate in North London is perhaps the most iconic, but there is a similar site in South East London that is perfectly charming yet much more underrated. Tucked away in the London Borough of Lewisham, Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery is one of South East London’s most rewarding places to spend an afternoon.
Spanning 37 acres within the Brockley Conservation Area, the site offers a rare combination of dappled woodland paths, ornate Victorian monuments, and a genuine sense of calm that feels worlds away from the bustle of the city. If you’re after a family picnic spot this might not be the place – but if you are searching for somewhere to do some quiet reflection, Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery certainly fits the bill.
The cemetery’s origins date back to 1858, when Deptford Cemetery and Lewisham Cemetery opened within a month of one another, each created in response to the pressure on overcrowded churchyards across the capital. The two grounds were combined in 1948, and Deptford Cemetery was later renamed Brockley Cemetery in 1965 following the formation of the London Borough of Lewisham.
Among those buried here are poet Ernest Dowson, Great War poet and artist David Jones, educational reformer Margaret McMillan, and Elizabeth Watkins, recorded as the last survivor of the Battle of Waterloo. The site is also home to around 500 Commonwealth War Graves, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The mature trees that line much of the cemetery make it an ideal spot for a shaded walk, particularly in the warmer months. Winding paths take visitors past ivy-clad headstones and through areas of natural grassland rich with wildflowers, where species such as the marbled white butterfly have been spotted.
Much of what makes the cemetery such a well-preserved and welcoming place to visit is down to the Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries (FOBLC), a volunteer group formed in July 2007 that now has around 300 members. Their work has reunited families with ancestors they did not know were buried here, with relatives travelling from as far as Australia and Canada to visit graves discovered through FOBLC’s research.
Guided walks are available on open days, and private tours can be arranged through the Friends directly.
If you end up thirsty after your walk, it’s worth popping into the Ladywell Tavern, a top-rated pub with a sunny beer garden just a stone’s throw from the cemetery. Shortlisted for ‘best-loved pub’ in the 2026 Muddy Stiletto awards, the Ladywell Tavern offers an expansive lunch and dinner menu as well as roasts on Sundays in the colder months.
Getting there
Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery is located at 113 Brockley Grove, London SE4 1DZ. The nearest station is Brockley, served by the London Overground, from which the cemetery is a ten-minute walk via Brockley Road.
Opening hours are 10am to 5pm between March and October, with last entry at 4.45pm, and 10am to 4pm between November and February, with last entry at 3.45pm. The cemetery is free to enter.
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