Arnos Vale Cemetery

Young visitors explore Arnos Vale Cemetery

Arnos Vale Cemetery has undergone a major restoration programme, and been transformed into a heritage, wildlife and visitor centre.

Arnos Vale is an important historic cemetery, included on the English Heritage Register of Parks and gardens at Grade II*. The site was threatened by redevelopment, and following a high-profile media campaign Bristol City Council took ownership in 2003.

The Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust was given a licence to manage the site and undertook a major restoration programme, with support from a range of funders, including a major £4,923,000 grant from us.

The four-year project had four main aims:

to conserve the key surviving elements of the historic designed landscape by selectively clearing and re-planting informed by the original design
to carefully conserve and re-use the main cemetery buildings
to conserve and repair the listed and most visually significant monuments and tombs, boundary walls and gates
to manage and conserve all areas of the cemetery as a sanctuary for wildlife

An education project was developed alongside site interpretation, talks and ticketed learning events. Income generated by events will help contribute to the ongoing site management.