Parks for People
West Norwood Cemetery is set in a 40-acre site in Lambeth and is home to Grade II listed St Stephen’s Chapel. It is one of London’s most historic cemeteries, a space for tranquillity and nature with catacombs, monuments and mausoleums.
The project, led by Lambeth Council working with the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery, has addressed the urgent restoration need and created new opportunities for community access, learning and cultural events.
The restoration of West Norwood Cemetery is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about bringing history to life and reconnecting our communities with this unique and sacred space.
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities
The project has:
- restored St Stephen’s Chapel, West Norwood’s largest Grade II listed mausoleum
- created a new visitor centre and community space at the refurbished Lodge building
- conserved 17 at-risk listed monuments
- developed new interpretation highlighting the cemetery’s rich history and notable figures
- undertaken major upgrades to drainage, roads and pathways, including two new entrances opening up access
- implemented a long-term maintenance and management plan to protect the 40-acre Grade II listed landscape
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, says: "The restoration of West Norwood Cemetery is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about bringing history to life and reconnecting our communities with this unique and sacred space. From a derelict chapel to a venue that can now host concerts and community events, this project is a shining example of what’s possible when heritage and people come together.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England, London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says: “Cemeteries provide vital connections to our history, local communities and nature, although their role as public open green spaces is often overlooked. West Norwood Cemetery is an important community asset – combining a place of rest for those who are buried there with a space for heritage, culture and nature to thrive.”
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